Czech detained in Brazil on animal smuggling charges

A 44-year-old Czech national has been detained in Brazil on suspicion of large-scale animal smuggling, facing up to ten years in prison, if found guilty. The news was released by the Czech vice-consul in Sao Paulo on Friday. The man is suspected of having connections to an extensive smuggling network in Europe. Specimens smuggled included exotic birds such as rare parrots. According to Brazilian data, the group smuggled some 500,000 animals or eggs. In all 78 people have been detained and the Brazilian prosecutor's office has issued 102 arrest warrants. Interpol is searching for five individuals in the case, three of them Czechs.