An Italian man is under investigation and could face jail after authorities allegedly found a dried crocodile head inside his luggage at an airport in Turin, Italy.
The unusual discovery was made last week after the man arrived at Sandro Pertini Airport in Caselle Torinese, Turin. Police reportedly found the reptile remains while inspecting his suitcase.
The dried crocodile head, which had been wrapped in paper, was seized from the passenger, who had travelled from Miami, United States, with a stopover in Istanbul.
“(The case) has been reported to the authorities for the offence of importing specimens of protected species without a valid permit or licence,” the Financial Police said in an official statement.
If convicted, the man could face a fine ranging from US$23,200 (RM94,419) to US$232,000 (RM944,194), or between six months and one year in prison.
Police have been working closely with customs officials to step up baggage inspections during the summer season amid a sharp increase in tourists travelling to exotic destinations.
The discovery sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with some users condemning the decision to transport the animal remains in luggage.
“One unreasonable action that cannot be accepted! What we are seeing here is a reflection of humans disregarding wildlife.
“A living creature from an endangered species is treated like a toy inside a suitcase,” one angry user commented on an Instagram post by Brazilian media outlet Metrópoles.
Another user, commenting on an Il Messaggero post, sarcastically questioned whether customs authorities were focusing too heavily on such seizures while illegal drugs continued to cross borders.
