Palestinian attempts smuggling 3 snakes into Israel from Jordan

Border guards discover rare snakes in Palestinian’s luggage

Smuggler taken into custody, snakes transferred to Parks Authority

By Noam (Dabul) Dvir

 

Security guards on the Israeli border with Jordan were surprised on Sunday during a routine security check, when the X-ray machine used to check luggage, suddenly revealed three snakes that were hidden in the bag of a Palestinian man from Ramallah.

הנחשים שנמצאו בתוך התיק (צילום: משטרת ישראל)

Snakes found in Palestinian’s bag – Photo: Israel Police

The guards asked the man to open his luggage, and in it they found a plastic box with three rare snakes. The man attempted to smuggle the snakes into Israel.

The three snakes were the Burmese Python, the Albino python and the “milk-skin” snake. The total value of the three rare reptiles is estimated at NIS 4,000 ($1,036).

The suspect was immediately taken into custody. According to the police, the suspect admitted to knowingly attempting to smuggle the snakes into Israel for personal possession.

He was released shortly after being questioned. The three snakes were transferred to the Nature and Parks Authority.

 

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4289574,00.html