An engineer in his 40s was recently caught at Ben Gurion Airport as he tried to smuggle 13 starfish, sea urchins and Abu-Nafah fish • Marine animals were transported to the aquarium

• Sea urchins caught in customs // Photo: Ministry of Agriculture

Animal smuggling continues in customs: An engineer in his 40s was recently caught at Ben Gurion Airport when he tried to smuggle 13 starfish, sea urchins, puffer fish (known as Abu Nafah), Zaharon and Morna fish.

The Ministry of Agriculture's veterinary services, in collaboration with Customs Inspectors at Ben Gurion Airport and the Nature and Parks Authority, found the fish inside the Styrofoam packing, after making the long way from Singapore to Israel. The inspectors' examination revealed that the animals were brought in violation of the law, without import licenses and without relevant health documents. With the Bible Zoo, the fish will be transferred to the "Israel Aquarium" in Jerusalem - which will give them the nickname: Fish (Jerusalem), and an investigation has been opened against the suspect.

But that is not the end. In recent days, agriculture ministry inspectors have uncovered three more animal smuggling cases in Israel. In the meantime, the inspectors seized a dangerous puppy brought by an Israeli resident in his 20s, who returned to Israel from Eastern Europe, and two puppy puppies brought to Israel by medical students studying in Eastern Europe. All puppies were returned to the country of origin. As well, 2 young software programs were seized at the Ben Gurion Airport. Upon examination, a citizen of Eastern Europe who was staying in Israel found them abandoned at the airport. The programs were transferred to a living area for at-risk youth by the Nature and Parks Authority, and an investigation was launched against all suspects.

Exciting: Dolphin band accompanied by sailing off the coast of Ashkelon // Photo: Nature and Parks Authority

The veterinary services are urging the general public to check import requirements before they take any action that may be contrary to the law. The ministry also notes that the public must know that animals have different protections against imports, which include sweeping bans on certain animal imports and international treaties regulating the field. The Ministry of Agriculture reiterates that transporting and flying animals to Israel, not legally, including imports without compliance or no quarantine, endangers the public and animals, and can transmit diseases to humans and other animals in Israel.