At the Mamonovo-2 checkpoint, Kaliningrad customs officers seized 116 live lizards from a Russian woman travelling by bus to Poland. Source: FCS Russia.
The 10–15 cm reptiles were hidden in her jacket lining in canvas pouches of three to five animals each. She had no accompanying documents and said she was taking the lizards to Germany for a fee.
Customs expertise identified the species as the eared toad-headed agama, listed in Russia’s Red Book.
An administrative case was opened under Article 16.1(2) of the Code of Administrative Offences (concealment of goods from customs control). The sanction may include a fine of up to three times the value of the goods, with possible confiscation.
The reptiles were handed over to a local centre for exotic animals.
