The Environment and Resources Authority’s Compliance and Enforcement Directorate is currently working in conjunction with the Malta Customs and the Plant Health Directorate to investigate a smuggling attempt of a consignment of live wild animals.
The smuggling attempt was thwarted by Customs and Police late on the 21st of January following the return of a couple of Maltese nationals from Sicily. The goods were found following a search of their vehicle soon after their arrival on the ferry originating from Pozzallo, Sicily.
Officers from ERA’s Compliance and Enforcement Directorate subsequently examined the consignment and determined that it was comprised 6 tortoises; a frog; and several invertebrates, namely spiders; dragonfly larvae; caterpillars, and a water beetle.
These were identified as being of species whose importation and possession is restricted by virtue of International law, European Community law and domestic legislation.
Furthermore, it was determined that the species in question presented a threat to Malta’s biological identity, since these could potentially establish populations in the wild or interbreed with locally occurring species. This resulted in the specimens being seized for further investigations.
