A man attempting to smuggle over 100 live snakes into mainland China by stuffing them into his trousers was apprehended by customs authorities, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
The unidentified traveller was stopped by customs officers as he tried to cross from Hong Kong into Shenzhen. Upon inspection, officers found six canvas drawstring bags, sealed with tape, stuffed into the pockets of his trousers.
“Each bag contained live snakes of various shapes, sizes, and colors,” the statement revealed. In total, 104 snakes were seized, including milk snakes and corn snakes, many of which were non-native species.
A video accompanying the statement showed border agents examining transparent plastic bags filled with the squirming reptiles. China, one of the world’s largest hubs for animal trafficking, has intensified its crackdown on the illicit trade in recent years.
The country’s biosecurity and disease control laws strictly prohibit bringing in non-native species without permission. The customs authority warned that violators would face legal consequences, though the man’s specific punishment was not disclosed.
