(NewsNation) — A man trying to pass through a checkpoint into China was stopped when authorities found out he had 104 snakes in his pants, the Chengdu Huanggang Chamber of Commerce said in a statement Tuesday.
The man was trying to get through Futon Port, between Hong Kong and mainland China, when he was “intercepted” and inspected by customs officers, the statement, posted on Weibo, said.
Officers found the man had six canvas bags on him, sealed with adhesive tape in his pants pockets. Upon opening them, officers saw that each bag had ” a number of colorful and different forms of living snakes,” according to the statement. Authorities counted 104 animals overall, including species not native to China: Milk snakes; western hognosed snakes; corn brocade snakes; Texas rat snakes and cow snakes.
Per Chinese law, it is illegal to introduce non-native species into the country without approval.
“In case of violation of the provisions, the Customs shall pursue legal responsibility according to law,” Chengdu Huanggang Chamber of Commerce wrote, though he did not say exactly what consequences he now faces.