Sept. 8 (UPI) -- An Italian man is under investigation after authorities at Turin's Caselle airport discovered the head of an endangered crocodile concealed in his luggage.
Officials from Italy's financial police squad in Turin said in a statement that the man was arriving from Miami by way of Istanbul. The financial police have been cooperating with customs officials for increased checks regarding trade in protected and endangered species, the statement said. Authorities found the head during a search of the passenger's luggage.
"Specifically, the reptile's head had been dried and wrapped in ordinary wrapping paper, thus evading security in the country of departure," the statement said.
Border authorities seized the head and placed the passenger under investigation for allegedly smuggling a specimen belonging to a protected species without the proper certificate or license.
If convicted, the man could face a fine of 20,000 to 200,000 euros or a prison term of six months to a year.
Crocodiles are among the animals protected by the Washington Convention, a global agreement signed in 1973 to safeguard endangered plants and animals from illegal trade.
Italy is a hub for illegal trade in exotic animals, The Guardian reported, much of it based in organized crime. However, it also noted that tourists may bring home items such as dried crocodile heads as souvenirs, unaware that they are illegal. The heads are commonly found in souvenir shops throughout Florida.
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