Customs officers were surprised to discover a large albino Burmese python hidden in a passenger’s carry-on luggage at Tashkent Airport in Uzbekistan.
Footage shows the individual undergoing security checks before being asked to open his bag. Upon unzipping it, officers found a 10-foot-long snake curled up and asleep inside.
The man was promptly arrested.
On September 28, the Customs Department for the Tashkent region released a statement, noting, “The attempt to smuggle a three-meter snake at the ‘Gishtkuprik’ border customs post was uncovered.
“While scanning a bag belonging to a passenger arriving from a neighboring country with an X-ray machine, customs officers found a snake that had not been verbally declared or included in the passenger’s customs declaration.”
The snake is believed to be a tiger albino python, which is native to South and Southeast Asia.
Customs officials stated, “As this species is listed in the International Red Book, international CITES permission is required for its import into the Republic of Uzbekistan. In this case, the passenger was unable to provide the necessary documentation to the customs officers.
“An investigation is currently underway by the customs authorities. The snake has been transferred to the Tashkent Zoo, where specialists have confirmed that it is in good health.”