Man caught with 5000 leeches in suitcase after flying from Russia to Canada

A passenger flew into Canada from Russia with a blood-sucking cargo: 5000 leeches.

The slimy black creatures were sniffed out by a detector dog when the man landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

And while leeches are known for their medical benefits, the man told confused customs bosses, who found them in multiple containers in his suitcase, he was planning to use their waste on his flowers.

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They believed with that amount, though, he was had commercial intentions.

However, 5000 leeches is far more than the entire country of Canada needs.

National Geographic reports the country only uses around 1000 a year.

And while the man is now set to face trial next month over the incident, which happened in October, authorities are still trying to solve another problem - what to do with them.

They can’t be released as they’re not a native species.

It doesn’t want to kill them - especially as they’re part of court evidence.

Leeches are used in medical procedures including increasing blood circulation and healing wounds.  

They’ve been used in medicine for thousands of years.