Man with suitcase full of snakes stopped at German airport
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Man with suitcase full of snakes stopped at Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany
Image source: German Customs
Image caption: Not all the the snakes and lizards were alive, officials said
By Paulin Kola
Published 17 minutes ago
A 45-year-old Mexican firefighter was stopped at Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany after attempting to smuggle over 90 lizards and venomous snakes.
Customs officials noted that the man looked "conspicuously nervous" as he tried to exit through the green "nothing to declare" channel. A drugs test proved positive for cocaine, leading them to search his suitcase.
While no drugs were found, they discovered vipers, rattlesnakes, and other species of snakes and lizards, including iguanas, hidden in shampoo and cream bottles, plastic containers, and balls of socks.
"My colleagues at the airport are used to a lot when it comes to souvenirs in suitcases, but we've never had 37 live venomous snakes and 55 lizards from Mexico before," stated Jens Ahland, a spokesman for the Cologne Customs office.
Some animals were being kept in "inhumane conditions," according to Ahland, while others had died during the journey from Mexico City via Istanbul.
The man claimed he brought the animals back as a favor for a Brazilian acquaintance. He was denied entry to Germany and sent back to Istanbul.
The surviving animals are being cared for at a snake farm in Germany.
"Last year, we had over 1,300 seizures nationwide involving more than 56,600 protected animals and plants or products made from them," Ahland added.
Six years ago, 26 rare reptiles—10 of them dead—smuggled inside parcels of toys and sweets from Mexico, were found at Cologne Bonn Airport. They were destined for private buyers in Germany.