A man was caught trying to smuggle over 100 live snakes into mainland China from Hong Kong by hiding them in his trousers on Tuesday. Chinese customs officials found the snakes packed in bags taped inside his pants during a routine inspection at the border city of Shenzhen. The seized snakes included various colors and species like milk snakes and corn snakes, some of which are not native to China.
China has strict laws against bringing in non-native species without permission due to concerns about biosecurity and disease control. Officials emphasized that those breaking these rules will face legal consequences, though the specific punishment for the smuggler was not disclosed.
This incident highlights China’s ongoing efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, a significant issue despite crackdowns on such illegal activities. The smuggling attempt underscores the challenges authorities face in enforcing border controls to protect biodiversity and public health.
