At Irkutsk airport customs officers detained a passenger who arrived from Bangkok, whose luggage contained three stuffed crocodiles. The woman says she bought them as souvenirs on a farm in Pattaya, but this species is protected, so special permits are required for import. An administrative case is being considered.
At Irkutsk Airport, inspectors at the customs post detained a woman who had arrived from Bangkok. Three stuffed crocodiles were found in her luggage.“As accompanied baggage, the passenger had, among other things, three elongated boxes. During their customs inspection using inspection X-ray equipment, three biological objects were discovered — stuffed crocodiles, each about one meter long,” the press service of Irkutsk Customs reports.
According to the violator, she bought the stuffed animals as souvenirs at a crocodile farm in the city of Pattaya.
Each stuffed animal had a paper tag depicting a crocodile with a cane and a hat, as well as the inscription “The Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodil Fram”.
The total market value of the stuffed animals in Russia was estimated by experts at about 22,787 rubles.
All the objects are taxidermy items; the objects were also identified as saltwater crocodiles (family Crocodylidae).
This species is a protected species that is threatened with extinction. In accordance with customs legislation, this goods may be imported only with special permit documents.
The issue of bringing the Irkutsk woman to administrative responsibility is under consideration.