LOS ANGELES: In a shocking incident, the US police caught a man who was allegedly smuggling more than 50 reptiles including lizards and snakes from Mexico to the US.
In a statement issued by US Customs and Border Inspection, the man was driving a truck and was stopped for additional inspection when the police found lizards and snakes hidden under his clothing, according to News 18.
The agents found the reptiles from the “man’s clothing, pockets and groin area” that were tied up in small bags.
The reptiles included nine snakes and 43 horned lizards that were seized by authorities. According to the police, “some of the species are considered endangered.”
"Smugglers will try every possible way to try and get their product, or in this case live reptiles, across the border," the director of the Customs and Border Patrol in San Diego said.
He also said: “The smuggler attempted to deceive CBP officers in order to bring these animals into the US, without taking care for the health and safety of the animals."
The police arrested the man and placed his live cargo — that was carrying the reptiles — in quarantine.