Alleged wildlife smuggler had snakes, lizards, 'hidden in clothes'

A person who tried to slither previous US border brokers in California had 52 lizards and snakes hidden in his clothes, authorities have alleged.

The person was driving a truck when he arrived on the San Ysidro border crossing with Mexico on February 25 and was pulled out for added inspection, US Customs and Border Safety mentioned in an announcement.

Brokers discovered 52 dwell reptiles tied up in small baggage "which have been hid within the man's jacket, pants pockets, and groin space," the assertion mentioned.

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A US man was arrested on the Mexico border after customs officers allegedly discovered a number of reptiles hidden in plastic baggage on his individual.(AP)

9 snakes and 43 horned lizards have been seized. A number of the species are thought-about endangered, authorities mentioned.

"Smugglers will strive each attainable method to try to get their product, or on this case dwell reptiles, throughout the border," mentioned Sidney Aki, Customs and Border Safety director of subject operations in San Diego.

"On this event, the smuggler tried to deceive CBP officers as a way to carry these animals into the US, with out taking look after the well being and security of the animals."

The person, a 30-year-old US citizen, was arrested.