Aman who pleaded guilty to having 98 bullfinches without a permit faces a total of $147,000 in fines.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries said in an update that the accused, Jemol Butler, pleaded guilty to 196 charges - 98 counts of possession of caged birds without a permit ($1,000 fine or 15 days simple imprisonment on each count) and 98 counts of keeping caged birds in undersized cages ($500 fine or 10 days simple imprisonment on each count).
The Ministry said the total equates to $147,000 or 2,450 days simple imprisonment.
The Ministry Butler was stopped during a search conducted by officers of the South Western Division Task Force along the South Central Main Road in Point Fortin, in the vicinity of Mora Trace.
A search was done on Butler's vehicle which allegedly uncovered two cages 16”x 16”x 23.5”, the dimensions of which had a cubical content of 3.48 cubic feet which was designed to house only nine birds each.
Officials said furthermore, Butler was not in possession of a permit to keep these birds in captivity.
As a result, Butler was charged by Game Warden I, Mr. Parvesh Jokhan, on August 11, 2022, following which, he appeared before Senior Magistrate Alicia Channka of the Point Fortin Magistrate’s Court to answer the charges, where he pleaded guilty.
The Ministry thanked the Forestry Division (Wildlife Section) staff as well as the officers of the South Western Division Task Force who collaborated with Game Wardens whilst in the conduct of a joint exercise in the Point Fortin area.
Source: Loop TT
