Maastricht - When guests start scurrying around in the bushes around your hotel, visibly looking for something, you keep an extra eye on them. So did the staff of conference center Kasteel Vaeshartelt in Maastricht on Monday afternoon. Two of the four Italians who had booked a hotel room there were behaving so strangely that suspicion grew that they might run off without paying.That collection came to light when a hotel guest came to report in the evening that there was a snake coiled up in her toilet. It was decided to open the Italian's rooms. There, more than 30 exotic animals were found in bags and Tupperware boxes, plus a stash of weed and a knife. A quick inventory by Animal Control, General Inspection Service (AID) and the Wildlife Assistance Center revealed that the owners of the animals had almost certainly violated the Flora and Fauna Act. The seized animals included fire salamanders, possession of which is prohibited in the Netherlands. Combined with violation of the Weapons Act and possession of more marijuana than is legally allowed, the possession of illegal animals was initially enough reason for police to still keep the three men and a woman from Rome in jail, but yesterday Serge Weening, attorney for one of the suspects and that they have been offered a deal.
Police and prosecutors could not confirm the release yesterday. The trade in endangered species is one of the most lucrative forms of crime. The Netherlands has a reputation for playing a key role in this trade.
At Vaeshartelt Castle yesterday, no one could offer an explanation.
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