May 26, 2010
Scorpion-smuggler arrested
<!-- by line --> <!-- end by line --> CAIRO - EGYPTIAN customs officials have arrested a man on suspicion of trying to smuggle 75 deadly scorpions to Germany by express mail, an airport official said on Wednesday. Ashraf Talaat Talba is accused of hiding the venomous arachnids in a pillow in an attempt to air-freight them to Germany earlier this week, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The suspect said he had done nothing wrong as the scorpions, which were of a rare species, were destined for use in medical research, the official added. Customs officials discovered and confiscated the scorpions before the plane took off for Germany. Talba, who works for a shipping company based in Cairo, now faces trial on charges of breaking Egypt's export laws and endangering the lives of others. -- AFP
