Protected hawksbill turtle seized at Polish-Ukrainian border

Customs and Tax Service officers intercepted an illegal shipment of a preserved hawksbill turtle at the Korczowa border crossing between Poland and Ukraine. The specimen was discovered in the luggage of a 28-year-old Ukrainian citizen traveling in a passenger car.

The hawksbill turtle is a species protected under the Washington Convention (CITES), which regulates international trade in endangered plants and animals. This protection extends to preserved specimens, trophies, and products made from animal parts. The traveler did not possess the mandatory documentation required to legally transport the specimen into the European Union.

As a result of the violation of nature protection laws, the specimen has been seized for further proceedings. Under CITES regulations, individuals attempting to transport protected species without proper permits face potential confiscation of the items and imprisonment ranging from three months to five years.