An Israeli living in Jerusalem who recently returned to the country from Italy is suspected of attempting to smuggle 69 snakes of various species which are prohibited from being imported into Israel.
The suspect was detained for questioning by the Ben Gurion Airport Police’s special investigation unit. Upon discovering the reptiles, the unit contacted the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and veterinary services who assisted the detectives in identifying the snakes.
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Some of the snakes seized at Ben Gurion Airport
(Photo: Ori Linial, Israel Nature and Parks Authority)
Ori Linial, the head of Israel Nature and Parks Authority’s captive wildlife unit, said, "A significant number of non-native reptiles were found which the suspect attempted to smuggle into the country under unsuitable transport conditions and without proper permits or health certificates for the animals. Efforts are being made to return them to the country of origin."
"The person who attempted to smuggle the reptiles into Israel did so for financial gain, violating numerous laws in the process,” he added.
“We’re investing considerable effort in preventing the smuggling of wildlife into Israel and when a smuggling attempt is thwarted, we ensure the offenders are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This applies to this case as well as to similar cases involving the smuggling of wildlife and products containing traces of wildlife into Israel."
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority explained that smuggling wildlife and protected natural resources into Israel constitutes severe violations of several laws, including offenses related to animal cruelty, public health risks from the introduction of zoonotic diseases and parasites, customs violations, money laundering, and harm to wildlife.
Further, the smuggler could introduce invasive species into Israel which can cause significant damage to the local ecology and often result in considerable harm to agriculture. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Agriculture Ministry, Israel Police and Customs Directorate will continue to address these issues and take severe action against offenders to prevent similar crimes in the future.