A man has been caught trying to smuggle more than 100 live snakes into mainland China by hiding them in his trousers, Chinese customs officials said.
The unnamed traveller was stopped as he attempted to cross from Hong Kong into the border city of Shenzhen, according to a statement from China Customs on Tuesday.
Officers found six canvas drawstring bags sealed with tape in the pockets of his trousers. When opened, each bag contained live snakes of various sizes and colours.
A total of 104 reptiles were seized, including milk snakes and corn snakes, many of which are non-native species. A video released by customs showed the snakes squirming in transparent plastic bags.
China is a major hub for animal trafficking, but authorities have recently intensified efforts to combat the illegal trade. The country's biosecurity laws prohibit bringing in non-native species without permission, and violators face legal liability.
The customs authority did not specify the punishment the man will face.
