The police in Vodic opened a refrigerator, found up to 140 kilos of goods.

Police in Vodice uncovered a refrigerated container containing 140 kilograms of sea urchins during a routine inspection, leading to the arrest of two Italian nationals. The incident occurred around midday on August 11, when officers stopped a freight vehicle driven by a 47-year-old man and accompanied by his 44-year-old co-driver. The pair were suspected of illegally transporting protected marine species, a violation under Croatian law. The police, based in the Šibenik-Knin County Police Station, conducted detailed checks throughout Croatia, which led them to suspect the contents of the cargo. Upon inspecting the refrigerated unit, they discovered the illegal shipment of sea urchins. Both men were detained and taken into custody. According to authorities, the two Italians had planned to sell the sea urchins or use them in the neighboring country of Italy. The police officers from the Maritime Police Station in Šibenik took possession of the sea urchins and returned them to the Adriatic Sea within the Šibenik territorial waters. They handed the suspects over to the police station for further processing. Both individuals have been formally charged with trading in protected natural values and are currently held in pre-trial detention at the Šibenik prison. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of Croatian law enforcement to combat illegal wildlife trade. The exact method by which the sea urchins were obtained, whether through personal hunting or via a local fisherman in Dalmacia, is still under investigation. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the suspects personally engaged in the harvesting of the marine life or if a third party was responsible. The legal proceedings will continue with further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the smuggling operation. The outcome of the judicial review will determine the final disposition of the arrested individuals. Until then, both remain in custody pending trial. The case underscores the challenges faced by coastal communities in preventing the illicit trade of marine resources, even as international cooperation continues to strengthen.