At the Mamono-2 border crossing in Kaliningrad Region, customs officers intercepted 37 live lizards worth more than RUB 5.5 million that a 64-year-old Polish national was attempting to take to Poland in a private car. Source: FCS Russia.
A cabin search revealed several sports bags containing burlap sacks with two or three reptiles each, measuring 15–20 cm in length.
The driver had no permits or accompanying papers for the live cargo. He said he had agreed to transport the animals for other people in return for payment.
Expert analysis identified the reptiles as the band-tailed dwarf gecko, a species protected under the CITES Convention. The animals were placed in a specialised holding facility meeting the required keeping standards.
A criminal case was opened under Article 226.1(1) of the Russian Criminal Code for unlawful movement of especially valuable wild animals; the offence carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment.
Specimens covered by CITES must be declared in writing when crossing the customs border, with the relevant permits submitted to the customs authority.
