RI seamen face prosecution

RI seamen face prosecution

TAIPEI (DPA): Kaohsiung Harbor police on Taiwan's have turned six Indonesian seamen over for prosecution for smuggling in 24 rare birds, a spokesman for the authorities said yesterday.

Kaohsiung Harbor police found the birds -- three Red Lory Parrots, ten Red-Sided Parrots and 11 Crowned Cranes -- on board Indonesian bulk carrier Sun Kong 6 Monday.

The birds are native to Australia and Papua New Guinea. They are listed as endangered species by the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The six crew members were turned over for prosecution Friday. If convicted, they could face a maximum five-year sentence for violating Taiwan's Conservation Law.