Police are investigating a suspected poaching case in Paphos district and have arrested two men, aged 23 and 21, after searches of their homes and other premises uncovered dead wild birds, a hunting shotgun and other evidence believed to be linked to poaching.
Members of the Police Mobile Immediate Action Unit’s anti-poaching squad, working with other police officers, carried out an operation in Paphos district yesterday following information about suspected poaching.
At around 11pm, officers spotted a car being driven through a field, with the driver chasing a hare in the vehicle.
When officers attempted to stop the car for checks, the driver accelerated in an attempt to escape. Police eventually managed to stop the vehicle and checked the three people inside – a 23-year-old man, a 21-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 26 live shotgun cartridges, as well as three spent cartridges for double-barrelled and single-barrelled hunting shotguns.
Police subsequently searched the homes and other premises of the two men, where they found and seized:
- a number of dead wild birds;
- three plastic bags containing a quantity of dark-coloured meat, with tests continuing to establish which animal it came from;
- a double-barrelled hunting shotgun;
- an iron trap believed to be used to catch animals;
- a makeshift device for playing recorded bird calls;
- 15 one-litre plastic pesticide containers;
- two metal detectors; and
- an electric shock device.
Police also seized two mobile phones belonging to the suspects for examination. The devices appear to contain photographs and videos believed to be connected to poaching.
The 23-year-old and 21-year-old were arrested and taken into custody as police continue their investigation.
The 19-year-old woman was released after no evidence emerged linking her to the suspected poaching offences.
Polis Chrysochous Police Station is continuing its investigation.
