Two Indonesian military personnel have been let off with a warning after Australian authorities uncovered an alleged bird-smuggling operation aboard a Hercules military aircraft given to Indonesia.
The men were part of a team taking delivery of a Hercules military aircraft on Thursday at Richmond airforce base near Sydney and were allegedly found loading birds - five galahs and two other parrots - hidden in bags.
When the aircraft landed in Darwin for refuelling, authorities allegedly found two more parrots, Macquarie radio reported on Friday.
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service questioned the men and, after consulting with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, issued them with a warning, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said.
"We take these issues very seriously regardless of who is engaged with them and that's what we did on this occasion," the minister told reporters in Sydney.
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"If there's an offence that has been committed, then the necessary investigations and inquiries need to be undertaken."
He believes the incident will have no ramifications for relations between Australia and Indonesia.
"I understand the plane has departed," he said.
Mr Morrison declined to confirm whether it was a pilot or crew members questioned over the matter.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters in Adelaide the investigation was appropriate.
"From time to time Australians do things in Indonesia and it shouldn't be a complete surprise that occasionally it's a two-way street."
