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In a shocking discovery, customs officers at the Huanggang Port in Shenzhen recently apprehended four women attempting to smuggle eight endangered ball pythons into China. The women, traveling from overseas, had hidden the snakes inside their undergarments, wrapped in cotton socks.
The incident occurred when customs officers were conducting routine checks on incoming passengers at the port. One woman, wearing a black polka-dotted top, appeared unusually nervous and hurried, prompting officers to stop and inspect her. Upon further inspection, two live snakes were found concealed under her clothing. The officers then discovered a similar pattern with three other women, each carrying two snakes in the same manner.
The women confessed that they were paid to smuggle the snakes into the country by an unnamed third party. The snakes were later identified as ball pythons, a species listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning they are at risk and protected under international law.
The ball pythons were sent to the Shenzhen Customs Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine Technical Center for further verification.
Netizens have reacted strongly to the news. One user expressed their disbelief: "How could anyone think they could get away with smuggling endangered animals in such a way?" Another commenter pointed out the severity of the crime: "This is more than just a violation of the law; it’s a danger to our environment and wildlife." Some also expressed concern about the smugglers' motivations: "For just a small fee, they were willing to risk these creatures' lives and break the law."
