HONG KONG — In China, snakes can be farmed and eaten. But they can’t be carried alive into the country, even — or especially — if you try to smuggle more than a hundred of them in your pants.

An individual’s attempt to evade customs officials at Futian Port, a border checkpoint connecting Hong Kong and Shenzhen in southern China, led to their interception. The authorities revealed that upon interception of the unnamed individual, a total of 104 live snakes, comprising milk snakes and Texas rat snakes, were discovered in their possession.

China’s customs found six canvas bags taped inside a traveler’s pants, each containing live snakes. The discovery was made during an inspection, as reported on Weixin by Chinese customs authority.

A video accompanying the statement showed officers inspecting zip-lock bags filled with reptiles. Many of the species are non-native to China and the authority said that it’s illegal “to carry or send live animals and plants into the country.”

“It was emphasized that those who violate the regulations will face legal accountability,” they further noted, refraining from detailing the specific consequences for the individual in question.

China is notorious for animal trafficking and is considered a world hub for the illegal trade. Exotic animals are highly prized as pets, while other trafficked goods such as endangered shark fins are used as Chinese medicines.

In recent years, law enforcers intensified efforts to combat illegal trade with harsher penalties. In certain instances, individuals have received life sentences as a consequence of their involvement in these illicit activities.

China’s ban on wildlife consumption impacts snake trade due to zoonotic disease fears after the 2020 pandemic. Clampdown aims to prevent future outbreaks.

Killing snakes for food is legal. Snake meat used in soups and liquor. Pizza Hut and Hong Kong restaurant offered shredded snake meat topping last year, inspired by traditional stew from southern China.

Snake smuggling incident intrigues Chinese ophidian enthusiasts. Comment on border authority’s video: “Cool when they coil around your hand.” Another notes snakes’ gentleness compared to eels. Another, in response to a question about snakes being difficult to pin down, says that “generally, they are very gentle. It’s quite different from catching eels.”