Israeli man busted at Tel Aviv airport allegedly trying to smuggle nearly 200 exotic animals worth thousands in suitcase: photos

A 24-year-old Israeli man was busted at a Tel Aviv airport with nearly 200 exotic animals worth a hefty sum stuffed in his suitcase after flying in from Thailand, officials said.

The shady traveler was stopped by customs officers at Ben Gurion Airport attempting to smuggle 186 snakes, turtles, crabs, frogs, lizards, and other amphibians into the Jewish State, according to the Israeli Tax Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Nature and Parks Authority, local outlets reported.

The unidentified man from Bnei Brak was reportedly flagged after attempting to slip past the customs lane where travelers are required to declare their items.

Photos showed several lizards packed into a small plastic container, while snakes were stashed inside a plastic bag. One frog was also squished inside a small, circular plastic case.

The exotic critters are reportedly estimated to be worth tens of thousands of dollars.

“These are various species that could become invasive and pose a threat to local wildlife and agriculture,” officials said, Israel’s TPS-IL news agency reported Thursday.

“Experience shows that smuggled animals arriving without proper veterinary inspection often carry dangerous parasites and diseases, and most die shortly after arrival.”

Israeli officials said all the seized animals survived the trip, but were transported in harsh conditions, without food, and exposed to extreme heat.

Authorities are now working to return the creatures to their countries of origin.