An Italian man is under investigation after authorities discovered the dried head of a critically endangered crocodile concealed in his luggage at Turin’s Caselle airport. The man arrived on a flight originating from Miami with a layover in Istanbul, according to a statement from the Turin unit of Italy’s financial police.

The reptile’s head had been wrapped in brown paper in an attempt to avoid detection during security checks and customs inspections. Border officials quickly confiscated the item and placed the passenger under scrutiny for allegedly smuggling a specimen protected under international conservation laws.

Crocodiles are safeguarded under the Washington Convention, a global treaty established in 1973 to regulate trade in endangered plants and animals. Authorities stated that the import of the crocodile head lacked the necessary certificates or permits required by law.

If found guilty, the man could face penalties ranging from a fine of €20,000 to €200,000 or imprisonment for six months to one year. Italian police noted that the seizure at Turin is part of an ongoing crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade within Italy.

Italy serves as a significant transit point for the trafficking of exotic animals, with much of the trade linked to organized crime networks. Earlier this year, the Italian branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reported widespread illegal trafficking of species including tortoises, ornamental birds, tropical reptiles, and small primates through online platforms and cross-border shipments. A separate incident in 2025 involved the seizure of an illegally held chimpanzee in Sicily.

Officials also highlighted that some tourists unwittingly bring prohibited wildlife products home as souvenirs, unaware of the legal restrictions. A similar case occurred last year when a Canadian traveler was arrested at Delhi airport after authorities found a crocodile head he had purchased in Thailand concealed in his luggage.