Man Trying to Smuggle Over 100 Live Snakes in His Pants Caught by Officials

Natalia Senanayake

July 10, 2024 at 1:33 p.m.·3 min read

The man reportedly had six bags filled with the slithery reptiles when he was found out

<p>HANDOUT/Shenzhen Customs Release/AFP via Getty</p> Some of the snakes caught by China customs officials — HANDOUT/Shenzhen Customs Release/AFP via Getty
Some of the snakes caught by China customs officials

A man was caught attempting to smuggle more than 100 live snakes in his pants at a travel checkpoint.

The individual was stopped by customs officials at Futian Port while trying to enter Shenzhen, China from Hong Kong, according to CNN and CBS News. Six drawstring bags “sealed with tape” were reportedly found stuffed in the man's pockets as he tried to go through the checkpoint undetected.

A statement from China customs shared on Tuesday, July 9, and cited by the outlets, noted: "Once opened, each bag was found to contain living snakes in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors. After counting, a total of 104 snakes were found.”

Five species of snakes were discovered in total, including “the milk snake, western hognose snake, corn snake, Texas rat snake and bullsnake,” according to CNN.

The outlet notes that the incident happened “a few days ago” and that it’s not clear if the man was arrested. However, the customs agency reportedly added in their statement, "Those who break the rules will be... held liable in accordance with the law.”

<p>TSA Gulf/X</p> Snakes found by TSA at Miami International Airport — TSA Gulf/X
Snakes found by TSA at Miami International Airport

In April, a similar incident occurred at Miami International Airport when Transportation Security Administration officials found a bag of snakes hidden in a traveler’s pants.

That man was attempting to conceal the snakes in a green camouflage bag when TSA officials caught him. On their official X (formerly Twitter) account, the TSA shared a statement about the incident and included photos of the reptiles that they found.

“Officers at @iflymia detected this bag of snakes hidden in a passenger’s pants at a checkpoint on Fri, April 26. @TSA called our @CBPSoutheast and Miami-Dade Police partners in to assist, and the snakes were turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,” they wrote in their statement.

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Officers at @iflymia detected this bag of snakes hidden in a passenger’s pants at a checkpoint on Fri, April 26. @TSA called our @CBPSoutheast and Miami-Dade Police partners in to assist, and the snakes were turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. pic.twitter.com/CggJob8IT8
— TSA_Gulf (@TSA_Gulf) April 30, 2024

The passenger was attempting to go on an international flight and was denied boarding after the snakes were found, WFTV reported at the time.

Per the U.S. Department of Transportation’s official website, "federal and state governments impose restrictions on transporting live animals. In addition, each airline establishes its own company policy for the proper handling of the animals they transport."

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