A man was detained at Cologne-Bonn Airport in Germany after attempting to bring in more than 90 lizards and venomous snakes from Mexico; he was also found to be under the influence of narcotics, reports BBC.Customs officials stated that the 45-year-old Mexican firefighter aroused suspicion by appearing extremely nervous as he attempted to pass through the “green gates”—an exit used by travelers who have no goods to declare. Before his luggage was inspected, the man underwent a drug test, which tested positive for cocaine. However, there were no drugs in his luggage; instead, it contained vipers, rattlesnakes, other types of snakes, and lizards, including iguanas. The animals were hidden inside shampoo and cream containers, plastic tubs, and socks.Jens Ahland, a spokesperson for the Cologne Customs Office, remarked that while his colleagues have seen a wide variety of items stashed in suitcases, they had never before encountered 37 live venomous snakes and 55 lizards arriving from Mexico. Ahland noted that some of the reptiles were transported in inhumane conditions, and some had died during the journey from Mexico via Istanbul.The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, told officials that he was bringing the animals as a gift for a Brazilian colleague. The Mexican national was denied entry into Germany and sent back to Istanbul. The surviving animals, meanwhile, have been placed in the care of a snake farm in Germany.Ahland stated that last year in Germany, there were 1,300 incidents involving the confiscation of protected animals or items made from them, totaling 56,600 individual cases. Six years ago, an attempt to bring 26 reptiles of rare species into Germany was uncovered at Cologne Airport; ten of them had died during the journey. The reptiles were being transported for private buyers in Germany.
Man detained at Cologne Airport with snakes in his suitcase
