He was carrying 21 live lizards in his socks: the police arrest him and discover a real zoo in his luggage

L'homme risque une peine de 3 ans de prison assortie d'une amende. http://imagebroker.com/#/search/5588729

A traveler was arrested at Gare de l'Est in Paris by the customs services on Sunday February 11, 2024. What was their surprise to discover 21 live lizards in the socks of the man as well as ;#39;other reptiles in his suitcases.

During a control operation at Gare de l'Est in Paris on February 11, customs officers made a surprising discovery in the luggage of this traveler coming from & #39;Germany, reports 20minutes.

Living lizards and iguanas

What a surprise for these agents to discover two live horned lizards in a first suitcase. A "protected species included in Annex II B of the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora& quot; explains customs. 

In another suitcase, there was also an iguana, also very much alive. In total, "hidden in socks, customs officers discovered 21 live animals", mainly horned lizards and Fiji iguanas. Reptiles also protected by the Washington Convention.

The agents also discovered a wad of 200 euro notes that the man had hidden in his clothes, according to 20minutes.

An open investigation

He was placed in customs detention then handed over to the Paris judicial police. According to the customs press release, an investigation was opened for "animal trafficking offenses", punishable offenses a sentence of 3 years in prison accompanied by a fine "of between one and two times the value of the object of the fraud".

The lizards and iguanas were “placed in an animal center which has the skills and infrastructure to ensure their well-being", said customs.