German customs officers mentioned a path of slime led them to a stash of just about 100 large African land snails and different gadgets hidden inside luggage at Duesseldorf Airport.
Authorities mentioned officers stumbled over one of many snails on a baggage truck and initially thought it was a toy till it began shifting.
By following the path left by the 20cm snail, they discovered a bag with a gap, with one other snail already peeping out of it – probably making ready a splash for freedom.
By no means within the historical past of the Duesseldorf customs workplace has a path of slime led us to smuggled itemsMichael Stroll
In whole, officers discovered six luggage containing 93 large snails, 62lbs of fish and smoked meat, and a suitcase stuffed with rotting meat.
All had been imported from Nigeria and have been destined for an African items retailer in western Germany.
The snails have been handed to an animal rescue service in Duesseldorf and the meat was destroyed, customs officers mentioned.
“By no means within the historical past of the Duesseldorf customs workplace has a path of slime led us to smuggled items,” mentioned spokesman Michael Stroll.