Hrebenne. Dołhobyczów. They transported a crafted crocodile and python and shark leather shoes

The Tax Administration Chamber in Lublin summarized attempts to smuggle protected specimens on the basis of the provisions of the CITES Washington Convention, which were detected in the last quarter of last year.

“For example, during a bus check crossing the border in Hrebenne, in a luggage belonging to a Ukrainian citizen, officers of the Customs and Tax Service found 400 leeches of the Asian-South-European Medical Leech”-reads the message on the chamber's website.

In turn, during the Mitsubishi passenger control, which was traveled by a 41-year-old man, they detected a live parrot. The bird was transported in a small transporter. A secured parrot is a blue -fruit Amazon.

“The officers from Hrebenny also found an interesting collection in a travel vehicle from Ukraine. The woman had several frames with a homar, butterflies and scorpion placed in them, a dozen or so cardboard boxes with attached skeletons of birds and frogs, as well as shells and fossilized corals. Among the secured specimens there were several protected specimens – Scorpio, corals and giant wing ” – informs IAS in Lublin.

Interesting specimens were also found at the Customs Department in Dołhobyczów. One of the travelers transported a crafted crocodile, a crafted crocodile head and two crocodiles. Unusual goods were noticed by Border Guard officers.

On the other hand, officers from Hrebenny and Dołhobyczów came across clothing and haberdashery made of skin threatened animals.

“One of the travelers carried a jacket sewn from python leather. In the luggage of other officers, however, found two pairs of shoes and two stripes. The stripes were made of python leather, while the skin of cowhide footwear had inserts from python leather and … shark,” he says Lublin IAS.

International trafficking in wild animals and plants of threatened species is regulated by the Washington convention CITES. Its purpose is to protect the wild population of these animals and plants through control, monitoring and limiting international trade – both live specimens as well as their parts and derivative products.

Import from third countries to the European Union or exports from the European Union Cites specimens is possible on the basis of previously issued permits and testimonies.

See also: They let Raki into the rivers. In the interwar period, Poland was the largest exporter of this crustacean in Europe

The lack of such documents during transport results in a mandatory confiscation of CITES specimens, a fine, and even a penalty from three months to five years imprisonment.

None of the travelers had documents entitling to the transport of CITES specimens.

“Last year, officers of the Lublin Customs and Tax Service as a result of 69 disclosures secured nearly 10,000 CITES specimens. The vast majority are various types of ointments, creams and tablets containing extracts of protected species as well as clothing and footwear from skins of animals at risk of extinction. Among the live animals in 2024, Lublin officers secured parrots, leeches and turtles, “says the Chamber's message.