By Deutsche Welle
10 Jul 2024, 13:39 PM EDT
A man was arrested when attempted to smuggle more than 100 live snakes into mainland Chinahidden in their pants, according to reports from the country’s customs authorities on Tuesday (07/09/2024).
The traveler, whose name is unknown, He was detained by customs agents while trying to leave the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong and enter the border city of Shenzhen, the customs service said in a statement.
“After an inspection, customs officers discovered that in the pockets of the passenger’s pants There were six bags sealed with adhesive tape”, he pointed.
“Once opened, Each bag contained live snakes of all kinds of shapessizes and colors,” he added.
According to the statement, The agents seized 104 reptilesincluding milk snakes and corn snakes, many of which were non-native species.
A video shows two border agents inspecting clear plastic bags filled with writhing red, pink and white snakes. China is one of the world’s biggest animal trafficking hubs, but in recent years authorities have cracked down on the illicit trade.
The country’s biosecurity and disease control laws prohibit the introduction of non-native species without permission.
“Those who violate the rules will be held responsible according to the law,” the customs authority said, without specifying the penalty imposed on the man.
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