A man was apprehended by customs officers while attempting to smuggle over 100 live snakes into mainland China by hiding them in his trousers, the country's customs authority reported.
The unnamed traveler was intercepted at the border between semi-autonomous Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
According to a statement released by China Customs on Tuesday, officers discovered that the man's trousers contained six canvas drawstring bags sealed with tape.
"Upon inspection, customs officers found that the pockets of the trousers were packed with bags containing living snakes of various shapes, sizes, and colors," the statement said.
In total, 104 snakes, including milk snakes and corn snakes—many of which are non-native species—were seized.
A video accompanying the statement showed border agents examining transparent plastic bags filled with the squirming reptiles.
China, a major hub for animal trafficking, has intensified its crackdown on the illicit trade in recent years. The country's biosecurity and disease control laws prohibit the importation of non-native species without proper authorization.
"Those who break the rules will be held liable in accordance with the law," the customs authority stated, without specifying the man's punishment.
0 Comments