Overview
- Customs at Ben Gurion Airport detained a 24-year-old from Bnei Brak who arrived from Thailand and entered the green no-declaration lane.
- Inspectors found 186 live creatures, including snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs, and crabs, packed into small plastic containers and bags.
- Officials said all survived the flight but were transported without food in extreme heat in conditions described as severe abuse.
- Authorities estimated the cache was worth tens of thousands of dollars and warned of invasive-species, agricultural, and disease risks from undeclared wildlife.
- A criminal case has been opened, and veterinary teams are coordinating the animals’ repatriation as investigators assess animal-welfare and import violations.