In a shocking incident, a man has been apprehended by Chinese customs authorities while attempting to smuggle more than 100 live snakes into mainland China. The unnamed traveler was stopped as he tried to cross the border from semi-autonomous Hong Kong into the city of Shenzhen.
According to the statement released by China Customs, the suspect’s trousers were found to be packed with six canvas drawstring bags sealed with tape. Upon opening the bags, customs officers discovered that they contained a variety of snakes in different shapes, sizes, and colors. The authorities seized a total of 104 scaly reptiles, including milk snakes and corn snakes, many of which were identified as non-native species.
A video accompanying the statement showed two border agents examining transparent plastic bags filled with squirming red, pink, and white snakes. China has long been recognized as one of the world’s major hubs for animal trafficking, but the government has intensified its crackdown on the illicit trade in recent years.
The country’s biosecurity and disease control laws strictly prohibit the importation of non-native species without proper authorization. The customs authority has warned that those who violate these rules will face legal consequences. However, the specific punishment for the apprehended individual has not been disclosed.