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Mexican alligator lizards found smuggled in traveler's socks at Tokyo airport
Fox News • • world
Key Points:
- A 23-year-old Mexican man was arrested at Tokyo's Haneda Airport after customs officials found about 200 lizards hidden inside 22 pairs of socks in his suitcase, including nine endangered Mexican alligator lizards.
- One of the lizards was already dead when discovered, and the man claimed he purchased the reptiles in Mexico for $3.50 to $4.70 each, while some can sell for around $630 in Japan.
- Experts note that financial incentives often drive unusual smuggling attempts, with airport security primarily focused on threats to aviation rather than wildlife smuggling.
- Wildlife smuggling cases are not uncommon, with past incidents involving exotic turtles, birds, and large quantities of prohibited meat and wildlife products intercepted at airports.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection uses agriculture detector dogs to find prohibited items in luggage to prevent the introduction of pests, diseases, and invasive species.
