Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Twelve rare birds were found in the luggage of a passenger arriving from Vietnam at Tashkent International Airport, reports the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Uzbekistan.

According to the committee, these birds were not declared by the passenger, who arrived from the city of Cam Ranh.

The passenger attempted to smuggle 12 protected shrub birds hidden in fruit crates. Unfortunately, three of them did not survive the flight due to improper transportation conditions.

The preliminary value of the birds is estimated at over 60 million soums.

It should be noted that yellow-throated and white-throated shrub birds, native to South and East Asia, are considered a vulnerable species.

An investigation is currently underway regarding this incident.