started · updated
Croatian man arrested for smuggling over a tonne of protected sea urchins
Police on the A7 highway near the Rupa toll station stopped a kombi on 28 July 2026. Inside they found more than one tonne of black sea urchins (Arbacia lixula), a protected marine species, packed in plastic containers. The driver, a 35‑year‑old Croatian citizen, also possessed about 5.8 g of cannabis and presented a forged international cargo manifest. He was arrested and charged with illegal trade of protected natural values, document forgery and traffic offences. The seized sea urchins were returned to the Adriatic Sea off Opatija at a depth of roughly 50 metres. The case highlights illegal wildlife trafficking and related drug offences in Croatia.
Entities
35-year-old Croatian smuggler · 35‑year‑old Croatian citizen · 35‑year‑old Croatian driver · A7 highway (Rupa toll) · A7 highway near Rupa toll station · Arbacia lixula · Arbacia lixula (black sea urchin) · Arbacia lixula (black sea urchin) · Croatian Police · Italian market · Opatija · P-105 'Marino Jakominić' patrol boat
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Marine biologist Petar Kružić said most of the released urchins likely died because they were dropped at a depth far deeper than their natural habitat.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A 35-year-old Croatian citizen was arrested after police stopped a kombi on the A7 highway near the Rupa toll station. dnevnik.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The smuggled sea urchins were intended for sale in Italy. dnevnik.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The vehicle contained more than one tonne (over 1000 kg) of black sea urchins (Arbacia lixula), a protected marine species. dnevnik.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The seized sea urchins were released back into the Adriatic Sea off Opatija at a depth of roughly 50 metres. dnevnik.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The driver possessed about 5.8 g of cannabis. dnevnik.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The driver was charged with illegal trade of protected natural values, document forgery and traffic offences. dnevnik.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Police stopped the kombi on the A7 highway near the Rupa toll station. dnevnik.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The driver was a 35‑year‑old Croatian citizen. dnevnik.hr