A man has been caught trying to smuggle hundreds of lobsters from Scotland to Israel in a suitcase.
Israel’s Agriculture Ministry said the man was caught returning from Scotland with 330 baby lobsters after managing to make it through security at Ben Gurion Airport.
The common lobsters were said to have been brought across from Scotland without complying with the import license rules – intended to prevent the spread of diseases.
The man was caught following an investigation by inspectors from the country’s department of agriculture.
Dr. Nadav Davidovich, a veterinarian at Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture, said the smuggling attempt could have put the entire population of lobsters in Israel at major risk.
He said: “It is important to emphasize that import of animals is subject to licensing and full compliance with its conditions.
“This is a necessary procedure, through which freedom from disease can be guaranteed, without fear of harm being done to the wildlife population in Israel and in breeding farms.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
