In a bizarre turn of events at the bustling Futian port located in the city of Shenzhen, adjacent to the Special Administrative Region, an audacious smuggling attempt was unveiled by Chinese customs officers. Late last month, the officers were astounded to discover five live snakes being concealed in the brassiere of a woman, leading to an unexpected reptilian revelation. The startling news was released by China Customs through its official WeChat account on the 8th of July.
Customs officials on duty became suspicious when they observed a woman who appeared to have an abnormal body structure. As per procedure, they halted her for a detailed inspection. What came next was nothing short of shocking. Five live corn snakes, intricately wrapped in stockings, were found snugly tucked against the woman’s chest. The officers promptly secured the reptiles and transferred them to relevant authorities for further action.
The incident sheds light on the growing trend of reptile collection in China, a hobby that accounts for approximately 5.8% of the nation’s numerous pet owners, as per the 2021 China Pet Industry White Paper by Pethadoop. This document, supervised by the China Pet Industry Association, indicates a burgeoning pet market in the country, with reptiles occupying a sizeable chunk.
In particular, the corn snake, a reptile indigenous to the southeastern parts of the United States, is gaining traction among Chinese pet enthusiasts. Known for its docile temperament and vibrant coloration, this snake has been well-received in the local pet community. However, this trend is not without its legal and ecological implications.
Under China’s customs regulations, the import of any animals from abroad mandates proper declaration and rigorous quarantine examinations. These measures are in place to avert potential ecological damage and prevent the spread of foreign diseases.
The audacious smuggling attempt sparked a myriad of reactions on mainland social media, ranging from astonishment at the woman’s boldness to praise for the sharp-eyed customs officials. One commenter expressed incredulity, stating they would not even touch snakes, let alone hide them in their undergarments.
On a similar note, the knack of Chinese customs officers in spotting aberrations has been acknowledged and admired. “It is amazing that the officers are able to spot people with weird figures or expressions in the crowd,” one social media user observed. The China Customs often shares such peculiar cases online as part of their educational initiative.
In the recent past, other instances of audacious smuggling attempts have made the rounds on social media, including a man caught with 112 Nintendo Switch game cards in his shoes at the same Futian port. Earlier in January, another woman was found concealing 2,415 SD cards in her underwear at the Chung Ying Street border between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Last month, a man was apprehended while attempting to smuggle six endangered ball pythons concealed in cotton socks at the Futian port.
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