Two people are expected to appear in court today charged with possession of five Scarlet Ibis carcasses.

The suspects were arrested at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, yesterday.

Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat announced the arrest in a Facebook post.

Minster Rambarat said the Scarlet Ibis is an environmentally sensitive species.

He said illegal possession of the bird involves a fine of up to $100,000 for each with the possibility of up to two years imprisonment.

The Minister also noted that instructions were given to the Forestry Division officials to lay charges under these rules.

Last month, two Chinese men and a Trinidadian escaped prison time when they appeared before a Port of Spain Magistrate charged with being in possession of the carcass of a young Scarlet Ibis.

They escaped the increased fines since the changes in the law, which had been gazetted days before, were not yet known by the authorities.

EMA Chairman Nadra Nathai-Gyan said it was only after the men were fined in court that the EMA found out that the changes were gazetted and it was too late to reverse the court’s decision.

The three had pleaded guilty and were given two weeks to pay a fine of $800 or serve 30 days simple imprisonment.