Two men were arrested by the police in connection with the importation of protected birds, and their stuffing, the police said Saturday.
Some 2,500 stuffed birds were seized by the police along with seven shotguns in separate operations on two residences.
The police said they arrested a 42-year-old man of Zurrieq and a 57-year-old man from Gudja, who are believed to form part of a criminal organisation.
The two were arrested earlier this week, the police said Saturday.
In the Zurrieq residence, the police also confiscated 100 carcasses of diverse protected species of birds which were being stored in a freezer ready to be stuffed, and a carcass of an African Genet which is also protected.
In Gudja, the police lifted 40 birds which were also being kept in a freezer.