3 baby Nile crocodiles found in Ataşehir: Handed over to the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks

Teams from the Anti-Smuggling Branch of the Istanbul Provincial Police Department received information that an individual in Istanbul was keeping crocodiles in a home environment and trading these animals over the internet. Acting on the tip-off, the police launched an investigation and determined that the suspect, who was alleged to be engaged in illegal animal trafficking, was at a house in Ataşehir.

A FINE WAS IMPOSED

Tracking the suspect accused of raising and trading dangerous reptiles in their home, police teams carried out an operation on the identified house on October 10.

During the search of the house, they found 3 baby Nile crocodiles in a special compartment, which were determined to have been brought into the country illegally. The suspect was taken into custody.

The police, who seized the crocodiles—which are covered under the convention on the trade of endangered species and are prohibited from being kept in a home environment—initiated proceedings against the detained suspect for "Violation of the Anti-Smuggling Law No. 5607" and "Violation of the CITES Convention." It was learned that a fine was imposed on the suspect.

The police teams handed over the dangerous reptiles, which were understood to be babies, to the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks following a veterinary check.