Border Agents Intercept Smuggling Operation: 163 Exotic Animals Rescued

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MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A driver was apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers for allegedly attempting to smuggle over 160 different reptiles and arthropods into Mexico.

On October 22, CBP officers stationed at the Anzalduas International Bridge stopped a silver Toyota as it was attempting to leave the United States and enter Mexico.

According to a statement from CBP, the vehicle was flagged for a secondary inspection.

During this thorough inspection, officers discovered a total of 163 reptiles and arthropods concealed within the vehicle.

24 Royal Pythons
15 Green Anoles
11 Spotted Salamanders
10 Sick Red Eye Tree Frogs
10 Albino Milk Snakes
10 Orange Milk Snakes
10 Mexican Black King Snakes
Four Monarch Ball Pythons
Four Tarantulas
Three yellow Pacman Frogs
Three coffee Pacman Frogs
Three Chilean Rose Tarantulas
Three Irian Jaya Blue Tongued Skinks
Three bearded Dragons
Three Savannah Monitors
Three Rankin Dragons
Three Albino Aberrant Calif. King Snakes
Three Albino Banded Calif. King Snakes
Three Albino Striped Calif. King Snakes
Three Albino/Amelanistic Corn Snakes
Three Black Corn Snakes
Two Ball Pythons
Two Honduran Milk Snakes
Two Ornate Monitor Lizards
Two Chinese Caved Geckos
Two Veiled Chameleons
Two Centipedes
Two Green Tree Pythons
Two High White Calif. King Snakes
One Timor Python
One Carpet Python
One Garter Snake
One Banana Blade Clown
One Banana Spotnose
One Pinstripe Ball Python
One Fire Skink
One Indian Star Tortoise
One Ghost Aztec Jungle Boa
One Female Juvenile Axanthic Banana Ball Python
One Female Juveline Axanthic Banana Lesser Ball Python
One Juveline Axanthic Lesser Ball Python
One Juveline Axanthic Ball Python
One Juvenile Ghost Piebald Ball Python
One Juvenile Piebald Ball Python
One Male Juvenile Axanthic Banana Enchi Ball Python

Following the discovery, CBP officers seized the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations agents detained the driver and launched a criminal probe into the incident. The driver’s identity has not been disclosed by CBP in their statement.

“The smuggling of exotic pets has been on the rise in our area, and we work closely with our partners of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and preserve these creatures and ensure that importations and exportations of wildlife adhere to all applicable federal requirements,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service took custody of the reptiles and spiders.

CBP wants to remind the public that a lawful importation and exportation of wildlife, such as reptiles, requires the completion of the exportation of fish or wildlife; exportation must be done through a designated port and clearance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In most cases, licenses are required, and user fees must be paid.

For more information, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service import and export forms.