Russian stopped at airport trying to take live marine life out of Bali

A Russian man was stopped at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport on Thursday with some illicit items in his luggage on his way to Qatar.

Nope, not drugs, but marine life that is under protection in Indonesia. 

Zakaretski, 52, was carrying corals, ornamental crabs, clams, and conch. 

He was flagged at the airport when going through the x-ray machine and taken by authorities for questioning, Head of Bali Ngurah Rai Fish Quarantine Habrin Yake told local reporters. 

However, according to Tribun Bali, the Russian was not arrested because he claimed he was unaware of Indonesian law prohibiting the removal of protected marine life and requiring special documentation and certificates from authorities. If pressed for charges, the Russian could be subject to 1.5 years prison time and a max fine of Rp 50 million, according to the Bali newspaper. 

In total, nine corals, 10 slugs and clams, and 20 crabs—apparently still alive—were reportedly seized from the Russian. 



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