Live lizards hidden in a truck. Authorities thwarted a smuggling worth a fortune

On Monday, customs officers at the Koroszczyn border crossing discovered 41 live lizards hidden in a truck arriving from Belarus. The reptiles, belonging to various rare species, included protected species under CITES regulations. The 41-year-old Belarusian driver claimed he purchased the lizards online in Russia, intending to sell them in Poland for €3,000. International trade in endangered species is strictly regulated, requiring special permits. The absence of necessary documentation leads to confiscation and potential penalties, including fines or imprisonment for up to five years.