Snakes, aand lizards, on a plane
September 6, 2016
Officials in Amsterdam said on Tuesday that customs agents at Schiphol Airport had found four suitcases packed with 259 living reptiles, including snakes, lizards and turtles.
They said in a statement that 10 of the reptiles, which had come from Mexico, were dead when discovered on Saturday.
Three Spanish suspects were being held by police, accused of trafficking and animal cruelty, according to the statement. It said they were attempting to smuggle the animals into Spain.
The Dutch food and consumer watchdog NVWA said the reptiles could have fetched up to 80,000 euros ($89,000).
Several of the species seized were internationally protected, including 14 chuckwallas, an iguana-like lizard that has its home in northern Mexico.
All the animals have been taken to a reptile shelter.
tj/rc (dpa, AFP)