The crocodile was dead, but the trouble was just beginning: what did they find in the passenger's suitcase?

An Italian passenger arriving in Turin from Miami via Istanbul was caught with the head of a dead, dried crocodile wrapped in paper in his suitcase. Police confiscated the item, and the passenger is being investigated for importing a protected species without a license. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to €200,000 or up to one year in prison.

An Italian passenger arriving at Sandro Pertini Airport in Caselle Torinese, near Turin, was caught with the head of a dead, dried crocodile wrapped in paper in his suitcase. The passenger arrived on a flight from Miami via Istanbul. The Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) confiscated the item and reported the man on suspicion of importing a specimen belonging to a protected species without the required certificate or license. If convicted, he could face a fine of between €20,000 and €200,000, or a prison sentence of six months to one year. The case comes at a time when customs and police authorities in Italy are increasing checks at airports, especially during the summer months. The Turin Financial Police explain that the increase in tourists traveling to more exotic destinations also leads to more attempts to transport items originating from animals and protected species in suitcases. The incident sparked reactions on social media: one user called the case "an unacceptable absurdity" and an example of human greed; another wrote cynically that while customs is busy seizing the crocodile head, suitcases full of methamphetamine are crossing the border.

The crocodile was dead, but the trouble was just beginning: what did they find in the passenger's suitcase?