Border inspectors in Texas got a slithery surprise recently when they were inspecting a tractor-trailer leaving the U.S. and headed to Mexico.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency reports Office of Field Operations officers conducting outbound operations discovered 39 live pythons hidden within a tractor.
The incident occurred on March 5 at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas after CBP officers encountered a 2021 Peterbilt tractor traveling to Mexico. Officers selected the driver and tractor-trailer for inspection. During the inspection, CBP officers discovered the snakes hidden in bags. The animals were found after the driver gave a negative declaration for prohibited goods.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents were contacted and took custody of the animals. Penalties totaling $34,824 for export violations were issued in connection with this incident.
CBP seized the tractor and trailer. The case remains under investigation by Fish and Wildlife Service and Homeland Security Investigations.
Exporting live reptiles from the United States to Mexico requires compliance with several U.S. and international regulations.
Bags filled with baby pythonsU.S. Customs and Border Protection agency
