Parrot taken into custody after warning drug dealers about police raid
Officers believe the bird was trained by its owners to keep lookout
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A parrot has been seized by police after it tried to warn drug dealers of a raid in northern Brazil by shouting: “Mummy, police”.
The green-feathered bird started squawking as soon as officers arrived at a house in the Vila Irma Dulce neighbourhood of the city of Teresina.
“He must have been trained for that,” said one officer involved in the operation. “As soon as police got close he began shouting.”
The parrot was taken into custody, where he was photographed perched inside a chicken-wire cage, before being transferred to Teresina Zoo.
A Brazilian journalist claimed the bird appeared to have invoked its right to remain silent, adding: “So far it hasn’t made a sound.”
“Lots of police officers have come by and he’s said nothing,” said local vet Alexandre Clark.
Police claimed the bird’s owner, known as “India”, had been arrested twice for drug trafficking in the past.
Her husband, identified only as Edvan, 30, was arrested after crack cocaine was found in the house during the raid.
Their 16-year-old daughter, who was found with cannabis in her underwear, was released with a warning, according to Brazilian TV station Globo.
Drug traffickers have previously used birds, known as narcopalomas, to fly drugs into prisons in Costa Rica and Argentina.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments