In a bizarre smuggling attempt thwarted at the Hong Kong-China border, customs officers intercepted a man cramming over 100 live snakes into his trousers. The unidentified individual was apprehended as he attempted to cross from Hong Kong into Shenzhen, China Customs reported on Tuesday.
Upon inspection, officers discovered six canvas drawstring bags concealed in the man’s pants, each tightly sealed with tape. The bags contained a variety of live snakes, showcasing a spectrum of colors, shapes, and sizes. Among the 104 reptiles seized were milk snakes and corn snakes, many of which were identified as non-native species.
China, known for its stringent biosecurity measures, strictly prohibits the importation of non-native wildlife without proper authorization. The intercepted snakes, seen writhing in transparent plastic bags in accompanying video footage, underscored the ongoing challenges authorities face in combating animal trafficking.
While the customs authority did not disclose the specific punishment for the offender, they emphasized that violators of biosecurity and disease control laws would be held accountable under the full extent of the law. China has increasingly cracked down on illegal wildlife trade in recent years, striving to protect both native biodiversity and public health.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent efforts needed to safeguard against illicit animal smuggling in one of the world’s busiest transportation hubs.
