A man was arrested in China’s Futian port, adjacent to Hong Kong and Shenzhen, for attempting to smuggle snakes.
Chinese state media WeChat reported that smugglers were attempting to transport 104 live snakes to China, where the animals are legally farmed and consumed.
However, Chinese law means that live animals cannot be legally transported across the border.
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“During the inspection, customs officials found six canvas bags sealed with tape in the travellers’ trouser pockets,” according to a translation of an official Weixin post by Chinese customs officials.
Surveillance camera footage from the port of Fukuda shows snake smugglers with their faces blurred. (China Customs)
“Upon opening the bags, multiple live snakes of various colors and shapes were discovered inside each bag,” the post continued.
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The WeChat post said snakes native to North America, including Texas rat snakes and milk snakes, were found in the smuggler’s trousers. A translated version of the post called the reptiles “exotic species.”
Chinese customs officials counted 104 live snakes in the process of intercepting the smuggling operation. (China Customs)
China is seen as a haven for exotic animal smugglers, with many kept as pets or used in medicines and dishes such as shark fin soup, which is considered a delicacy in Cantonese cuisine.
Live animal markets, or “wet markets,” continue to be popular despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Chinese customs officials in social media posts did not name the alleged smugglers or disclose what punishment they would face.
