Man held in US for smuggling 52 snakes and lizards, hidden under his clothes

United States: The security forces detained a man who was trying to cross the United States border in California with 52 snakes and lizards by hiding them in his clothes on Tuesday. Forty-three (43) horned lizards and nine (9) snakes have been seized, among which some of the species are even endangered.

The 30-year-old man is a national of the United States only, who now is in the custody of the police authorities. The information about the incident was shared by the authorities via a media release on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.

The accused was driving a truck when he reached the San Ysidro border crossing with Mexico on February 25 at around 3 am. The security authorities then stopped him for inspection, as per the issued statement of the US Customs and Border Protection.

The statement further highlights, "Security agents discovered a total of 52 reptiles who were tied up in the small bags concealed in man's jacket, pants pockets, and groin area".

Sidney Aki, Customs and Border Protection director of field operations in San Diego, said in a statement, "Smugglers will try every possible way to try and get their product, or in this case live reptiles, across the border".

Following the above statement, he then added, "In this occasion, the smuggler attempted to deceive CBP officers in order to bring these animals into the United States of America, without taking care for the health and safety of the animals".

However, the police authorities have not revealed the charges imposed on the 30-year-old. The man was arrested on the scene, while the officials immediately seized his vehicle and the reptiles.

Later, the accused was transported and booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center. The authorities then informed that the reptiles have now been placed at a "safe and secure place" and are "quarantined" from the other animals.