Indian customs officers have arrested a man for attempting to smuggle venomous snakes and other reptiles into the country.

He was stopped by officials at Mumbai airport on Sunday after flying from Thailand, the BBC reports.

The Indian citizen’s checked-in luggage was found to have 47 hidden reptiles, including venomous pythons.

They were seized under Indian wildlife protection laws.

The man remains in custody and has not been identified.

Photographs of the colourful snakes were released on X by customs officers.

In the post, authorities reported they had seized 44 Indonesian pit vipers, three spider-tailed horned vipers, and five Asian leaf turtles from the traveler.

The source of the reptiles remains unclear.

Under Indian law, licences and permits are required to import wildlife into the country.