Uzbekistan, Tashkent – Podrobno.uz. A bizarre smuggling attempt was foiled at the Navoi border customs post: a passenger tried to bring a live snake across the border. The exotic python was discovered in hand luggage.

According to customs officials, the citizen was crossing the border on foot from a neighboring country. During inspection, his bag was scanned with X-ray equipment, revealing a live animal inside.

Preliminary reports indicate it is a tiger python, native to South and Southeast Asia. This species is internationally protected. Importing it into Uzbekistan requires a special CITES permit, which the passenger did not have.

Customs authorities are currently investigating the incident.

The snake was handed over to the Tashkent Zoo. Specialists reported that the python is in satisfactory condition.

Previously, the same individual was detained in Russia for attempting to illegally transport nearly a hundred parrots from Uzbekistan.

Source: podrobno.uz