Officials at Turin’s Caselle Airport began an investigation after recovering an endangered crocodile’s head from an Italian citizen’s luggage.

The Italian Financial Police Squad in Turin later said in a statement that the man had arrived in Istanbul, Italy via Miami. Police were conducting extra checks on passengers to prevent illegal trade in the endangered species. Meanwhile, during the search of the said passenger’s luggage, the crocodile’s head was found.

According to officials, the crocodile’s head was dried and wrapped in ordinary packing paper, which allowed it to escape security checks in the country of departure.

Italian authorities seized the crocodile head and launched an investigation against the traveler for allegedly smuggling the head of an endangered species without the necessary permit.

If found guilty, the person may be fined between 20,000 and 200,000 euros or imprisoned for six months to one year. Crocodiles are among the animals protected under the Washington Convention. The purpose of this 1973 global agreement is to stop illegal trade in endangered plants and animals.