A traveller from Holland who aroused the suspicion of authorities at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv was detained for a drug test. During a search of the traveller's handbag, the authorities found a cage containing 60 cockatiels, valued at an estimated thousands of shekels on the local market.

In addition to customs charges, the birds are liable to bring pests and sickness into the country and were quarantined. The traveller was investigated by drug officials of the customs department as well as veterinary officials.