Man nabbed at airport for carrying 115 animals

Man nabbed at airport for carrying 115 animals

A 43-year old Czech man returning from holidays in Indonesia was detained on Wednesday at Prague's international airport after customs officials discovered 115 exotic animals in his luggage, officials said.

The animals, carried in suitcases from Jakarta included 22 water lizards, 19 small pythons and 74 tortoises.

The man faces an investigation on suspicion of violating the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Central Europe has become a crossroads for the trafficking of exotic animals in recent years, according to Czech customs officials. -- AFP