Customs officers in Shenzhen, China intercepted a man attempting to smuggle over 100 live snakes into mainland China. This happened at the Futian Port, a checkpoint between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
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Futian Port, Shenzhen, a border crossing between Hong Kong and mainland China. The Incident occurred a few days prior to the announcement on Tuesday, July 10, 2024. He was an unidentified male passenger.
The man concealed the snakes in his pants pockets. Six canvas drawstring bags sealed with adhesive tape. The bags were hidden in the pockets of his trousers.
During a routine inspection customs officers discovered the canvas bags. Each bag contained multiple live snakes of various colors and shapes. 104 live snakes were found upon counting.
The types of Snakes including, Milk Snake, Western Hognose Snake, Corn Snake, Texas Rat Snake, Bullsnake
Four of the five species are non-native to China and none are venomous. The Western Hognose Snake is considered mildly venomous.
The act violated China’s biosafety and quarantine laws, which prohibit the carrying or mailing of animals and moving non-native species past border checkpoints without permission.
The customs authority warned that legal liability would be pursued according to the law. Offenders can face a maximum three-year jail term or fines ranging from 50,000 yuan to 250,000 yuan with confiscation of the animals involved.
The traveller attempted to pass through the nothing to declare gate at the crossing point between semi-autonomous Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Customs officials were alerted to the individual who appeared suspicious as he approached the checkpoint.
Customs officials discovered six canvas drawstring bags inside the man’s trousers. The bags were sealed with tape and concealed in the pockets of the trousers.
Each bag contained live snakes of various shapes, sizes and colors. Among the species identified were milk snakes and corn snakes which are not native to China.
Chinese customs released a video showing two agents examining transparent plastic bags filled with the wriggling reptiles.
The video showed the unusual and large haul of small snakes, showing the difficulty and risks associated with such smuggling attempts.
China has strict biosecurity and disease control laws that prohibit the importation of non-native species without proper permission. The smuggler’s actions were in clear violation of these laws.
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The customs authority stated that individuals who violate these laws would be held liable in accordance with the law. Specific details about the man’s punishment were not disclosed.
In June, a man was arrested trying to smuggle 454 endangered turtles from Macau to mainland China. On April, another individual was caught smuggling nine live ornamental fish into Shenzhen.
In September, a woman attempted to smuggle 16 live lizards under her bra. On July, a woman tried to smuggle five pet snakes concealed under her bra.
In 2023, a woman was caught attempting to smuggle five snakes hidden inside her bra at the same crossing point.
In December 2023, another woman was detained for trying to smuggle six live snakes in her trouser pockets.
In August, a man was intercepted at the Futian Port in Shenzhen with 14 live snakes stuffed inside his pockets.
China is recognized as one of the world’s largest hubs for animal trafficking. Despite increased crackdowns on illegal wildlife trade, the problem persists with various species being trafficked for different purposes.
China is identified as the world’s largest destination for illegal wildlife trafficking. Hong Kong is said as a major transit hub for re-exporters in the illegal wildlife trade. Weak traceability systems in Hong Kong contribute to the illegal trade.
Chinese customs have been increasing surveillance and inspection measures at border crossings. The use of advanced technology and training for customs officers are part of efforts to curb wildlife smuggling.
China has a snake farming industry in places like Zisiqao village in Zhejiang Province, where snakes are bred for medicine and food. The demand for exotic pets and traditional medicine fuels the illegal trade of wildlife.
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