Tel Aviv, July 15 -- Customs inspectors, in cooperation with Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety inspectors, prevented the smuggling of prohibited and dangerous fish into the country.

During what authorities said was just a "routine inspection" by customs inspectors in the passenger hall at Ben-Gurion Airport, the luggage of a passenger in his 30s who had arrived from Thailand was examined.

The inspection found 17 live ornamental fish that had been smuggled into Israel without a declaration and in violation of the law.

Of the total number of fish, seven were found to be alligator gar, a fish considered a dangerous and aggressive species that can reach a size of almost 2 meters, and cause harm to humans and local fish speci...