Suitcase full of poison! Animals coming out of luggage stopped at the airport scared

German customs officials found dozens of snakes and lizards hidden in containers and socks in a Mexican traveler's luggage upon his arrival at the airport, officials said Thursday.

It was stated that the 45-year-old man, who was stopped at Cologne airport last month, was subjected to a drug test after exhibiting "nervous" behavior. When the bag of the man who tested positive was searched, instead of drugs, 92 snakes and 55 lizards, 37 of which were poisonous, were found in plastic containers, shampoo and cream bottles, as well as socks.

'INHUMANE METHOD'

“My colleagues at the airport are used to all kinds of travel souvenirs in luggage, but we have never encountered poisonous snakes and lizards from Mexico before,” said customs spokesman Jens Ahland.

Ahland condemned the conditions in which the animals were transported, calling the methods of concealment "inhumane".

According to the information obtained, dozens of the animals died during transportation or shortly after they were found due to excessive restraint and lack of ventilation. The surviving reptiles were transported to a private snake farm in Germany for emergency treatment.

'THE PERSON HE KNOWS PLEASED'

During interrogation, the passenger claimed that he had transported the animals to Europe at the request of a Brazilian acquaintance.

German border authorities considered this person a security risk, did not allow him to enter the country, and put him on a repatriation flight to Istanbul.

Wildlife trafficking remains an ongoing problem in German transit hubs. Similar wildlife smuggling attempts have occurred at Cologne-Bonn Airport in the past.

Six years earlier, customs officers at the same facility seized 26 rare Mexican reptiles hidden in mail disguised as toys and candy for shipment to private collectors across Germany; 10 of them died.