Charles Daisi
A man was apprehended attempting to smuggle over 100 live snakes into mainland China by concealing them in his trousers, as reported by China’s customs authority.
The unnamed traveler was intercepted by customs officers while trying to cross from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, China.
According to a statement released on Tuesday, customs officials found six canvas drawstring bags sealed with tape in the pockets of his trousers. Upon inspection, each bag was revealed to contain various live snakes of different shapes, sizes, and colors.
The statement said officers seized 104 of the scaly reptiles, including milk snakes and corn snakes, many of which were non-native species.
An accompanying video showed two border agents peering into transparent plastic bags filled with squirming red, pink and white snakes.
China is one of the world’s biggest animal trafficking hubs, but authorities have cracked down on the illicit trade in recent years.
The country’s biosecurity and disease control laws forbid people from bringing in non-native species without permission.
“Those who break the rules will be… held liable in accordance with the law,” the customs authority said, without specifying the man’s punishment.
