Three people suspected of having stolen 26 racing racing pigeons were arrested on Monday in the Netherlands.

The birds belonged to a Belgian pigeon fancier, according to information from the Dutch police.

The pigeons may have been destined for a new owner in Ukraine, the law enforcement statement said.

The suspects, from the Netherlands and Ukraine, are said to have engaged in “mobile banditry”.

"When checking a vehicle on the A16 motorway, the officers saw the pigeons in a basket, in addition to the three occupants," police said.

Pigeon racing, a practice on the return

The suspects, aged 32, 47 and 57, have been arrested.

The pigeons' rings showed they were from Belgium, not Poland as the suspects claimed.

The owner was quickly identified and informed.

After checking, he was able to confirm that he was missing 26 racing pigeons.

The birds will find their dovecote in Belgium.

European elite pigeons have become popular around the world, especially in China where racing pigeon competitions can generate huge payouts.

Pigeon racing, a tradition rooted in Belgium, the Netherlands and the north of France, has thus experienced a resurgence of interest.

In 2020, a carrier pigeon from a Belgian breeding was sold at auction to a Chinese buyer for 1.6 million euros.

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