Image shared on July 9, 2024 of Chinese customs officials holding snake bags seized at Futian Port
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
A man trying to smuggle 104 live snakes in his pants was caught at the Chinese border this week, according to Chinese customs authorities.
Officials said in a statement on Tuesday that the animal trafficker was trying to bypass a “declaration-free lane” at a port between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
While examining his pants, police found six Ziploc bags containing an assortment of strange snakes, including a milk snake, a western hognose snake, a corn snake, a Texas rat snake and a bull snake.
The accompanying video shows two border agents holding large clear bags filled with colorful live reptiles, which are often considered exotic pets.
While none of the snakes are venomous, at least four are considered alien species to China, which could violate China’s biosecurity laws.
Customs said it would pursue the man’s legal responsibilities in accordance with the law, but did not specify specific punishment measures.
Snake seized by Chinese customs officers at Futian Port on July 9, 2024
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
While it is also illegal to bring or transport live animals into China, such cases are not uncommon.
At the same crossing in 2023, a woman was reportedly stopped while trying to pass. Smuggling five pet snakes Hidden in her bra.
Earlier this month, customs reported attempts to smuggle more than 400 hermit crabs and land crabs through Shanghai Pudong Airport. A man was caught carrying nearly 20 endangered sea turtles into a border checkpoint from Macau.
although fight hard In terms of trade, China is Top destination for illegal wildlife trafficking It ranks first in the world, according to the Global Organized Crime Index project funded by the U.S. and EU governments.
The index also believes that Hong Kong is a major transit hub for re-exporters of the illegal wildlife trade due to “weak traceability systems”.
In March this year, the U.S. Department of Justice charged a Hong Kong man with trying to Smuggling of 40 protected turtles From the United States to Hong Kong in 2023.
Between 2010 and 2020, Hong Kong Customs seized more than Black market value: HK$1 billion (US$128 million) According to WWF, wildlife products are trafficked, including nearly 34 tons of ivory.
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