Wildlife trafficking generates profits estimated between 8 and 20 billion euros, according to customs officials. It is the fourth most profitable traffic after drug trafficking, human trafficking and the arms trade.
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Around twenty reptiles, known lizards but also Fiji iguanas, were discovered in the suitcases of a traveler coming from Germany on Sunday at Gare de l’Est in Paris, France Bleu Lorraine Nord reported on Friday February 16.
It was the agents of the Paris Nord surveillance brigade, in other words customs officers, who announced this Friday that they had made this discovery. It was while examining the suitcases of this traveler who came from Germany that customs officers discovered these reptiles, in this individual’s socks.
Nearly 21 live animals and cash
In total, customs officers got their hands on 21 live animals, as well as an undeclared sum of cash. These animals are protected by the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The man was taken into custody. He was handed over to the Paris judicial police. The animals, for their part, were placed in an animal center. In 2022, customs intercepted 52,506 protected specimens, including 397 live animals, including 60 reptiles, 41 turtles and 10 snakes. Wildlife trafficking generates profits estimated between 8 and 20 billion euros, according to customs officials. It is the fourth most profitable traffic after drug trafficking, human trafficking and the arms trade.
