“This is not just a quirky case—it poses serious environmental risks,” a Belgian official said.
ABC NEWS
Two Belgian teenagers who attempted to smuggle over 5,000 exotic ants into the country are expected to be sentenced in two weeks, according to local prosecutors.
The teens, whose identities have not been disclosed due to their age, were intercepted at Brussels Airport after returning from a trip abroad with dozens of containers filled with live ants, including rare and potentially invasive species.
Authorities believe the insects were intended for illegal sale to collectors or hobbyists.
“This is not just a quirky case—it poses serious environmental risks,” said a spokesperson for the federal public service on environment.
Belgian environmental officials have stressed that the unregulated import of non-native species could threaten local ecosystems and biodiversity.