A traveler was apprehended by customs officers while attempting to smuggle over 100 live snakes into mainland China, according to a statement from the country’s customs authority.
The incident occurred as the unidentified man tried to cross from Hong Kong to Shenzhen.
Customs officers discovered that the man had hidden six canvas drawstring bags, sealed with tape, inside the pockets of his trousers.
Upon inspection, it was revealed that each bag contained various live snakes of different shapes, sizes, and colors.
In total, 104 snakes were seized, including milk snakes and corn snakes, many of which are not native to China.
A video released by the customs authority showed two border agents examining transparent plastic bags filled with the squirming reptiles.
China has been making significant efforts to combat animal trafficking, a persistent issue in the region.
The country’s biosecurity and disease control regulations strictly prohibit the importation of non-native species without prior authorization.
The customs authority emphasized that violators would face legal consequences, although the specific punishment for the man was not disclosed.
This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 13 July 2024. Image Credit :Murilo Mazzo/Shutterstock.
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