Copyright: Hauptzollamt Düsseldorf
On January 12, 2022, Düsseldorf customs officers found a skinned and prepared pangolin in the suitcase of a woman (42).
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Two customs officers made a sad discovery at Düsseldorf Airport – in a suitcase full of groceries wrapped in a plastic bag.
Their meat is considered a delicacy in Asia and Africa, their scales and other body parts are used in rituals… Therefore, pangolins are endangered and under protection! Two customs officers at Düsseldorf Airport were all the more stunned by what they found in the suitcase of a traveler (42).
As the main customs office announced on Wednesday (January 26, 2022), the woman was checked on a flight from Ghana via the Netherlands.
Düsseldorf Airport: Travelers with suitcases full of groceries on the way
The 42-year-old, who lives in Mönchengladbach, had a lot of “souvenirs” with her from Ghana. When the two customs officials checked them at Düsseldorf Airport on January 12, 2022, they were amazed. “The woman had three suitcases with her, one of which was reserved exclusively for groceries,” said a spokesman for the main customs office in Düsseldorf.
In addition to fish and vegetables, which were considered harmless under import law, the customs officers also found a well-packaged plastic bag. Inside a pangolin, a so-called pangolin – it was already skinned and fried.
Dusseldorf customs officers take action because of dubious delicacy
The customs spokesman: “Pangoloids are particularly protected under both European law and the Washington Convention on the Protection of Species, they have the highest protection status.” This means that importing and trading in them is strictly prohibited.
“When asked by customs officials, the traveler stated that the pangolin is a delicacy that she bought from a farm in Ghana and intends to share with her family,” the spokesman said.
However, the traveler did not enjoy this dubious delicacy. While still on site, the customs officers initiated criminal proceedings against them on suspicion of violating species protection regulations. The pangolin was confiscated and then destroyed. (ir)
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