Smuggler is caught with 104 snakes in his pants at Chinese border

A man tried to get past customs officials between Hong Kong and Shenzhen Authorities with 104 lives snakes in his pants, authorities said.

HONG KONG — In China, snakes can be farmed and eaten. But they can't be carried alive into the country, even — or especially — if you try to smuggle more than a hundred of them in your pants.

That's what one man found out as he attempted to thwart customs officials at Futian Port, a land crossing between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in southern China. Authorities said that, when the unnamed trafficker was intercepted, he had 104 live snakes on him, including milk snakes and Texas rat snakes.

“During the inspection, customs officers found six canvas bags sealed with tape inside the pockets of the traveler’s pants," China's customs authority said Tuesday in a statement on the Chinese social media platform Weixin. "Upon opening the bags, they discovered multiple live snakes of various colors and shapes inside each bag."

A video accompanying the statement showed officers inspecting zip-lock bags filled with reptiles. Many of the species are non-native to China and the authority said that it's illegal "to carry or send live animals and plants into the country."

"Violators will be held legally responsible," they added, without specifying the man’s punishment.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/smuggler-caught-104-snakes-pants-chinese-border-rcna161306

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