Israeli authorities have arrested a man in his 20s for smuggling nearly 186 exotic animals from Thailand into Tel Aviv via Ben Gurion Airport. The incident, which came to light during a customs inspection, revealed the presence of snakes, turtles, crabs, frogs, lizards, and other amphibians hidden within the man’s suitcase. According to officials, the animals were transported under severe conditions, with no access to food or water, and exposed to extreme heat during the journey.
The Israeli Tax Authority, along with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Nature and Parks Authority, has estimated the value of the seized animals at tens of thousands of dollars. The suspects could face charges of severe animal abuse and violations of animal welfare laws, as the animals were not subjected to any proper veterinary checks before being transported. Officials have highlighted the potential risks associated with such smuggling, including the possibility of invasive species threatening local wildlife and agriculture, as well as the spread of dangerous parasites and diseases.
Authorities have since announced their plans to return the animals to their countries of origin, although it remains unclear how this will be achieved under such challenging and unsuitable conditions. In a similar incident earlier this year, customs officials found nearly 140 exotic reptiles and arthropods at the same airport, with one of the snakes dying during the journey. These events have prompted the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to reiterate its stance that wildlife smuggling and importing protected natural resources constitutes a severe violation of multiple legal frameworks.