Customs officers at Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany found 37 venomous snakes and 55 lizards in a traveler's suitcase after he flew in from Mexico City, a snakes-in-a-suitcase case even the officers called unprecedented. Officials announced the find on Thursday, October 15. The man was stopped in September, about three weeks earlier.
Officers pulled the 45-year-old aside at the "nothing to declare" exit because he seemed noticeably nervous, according to German customs. A drug test came back positive for cocaine, so they searched his suitcase for drugs. They didn't find any. Instead, they found rattlesnakes, vipers and lizards, including iguanas, packed into plastic containers, shampoo and cream bottles, and balls of socks.
Cologne Bonn Airport · Germany
What Was in the Suitcase
Contrail
Where the Snakes Came From
The traveler, a firefighter from Mexico whom authorities haven't named, had flown from Mexico City to Cologne with a connection in Istanbul. He told officers he was carrying the animals as a favor to a Brazilian acquaintance.
Even for experienced customs officers, the haul was a first. "We've never had 37 venomous snakes and 55 lizards from Mexico before," said Jens Ahland, a spokesman for Cologne's customs office. "It's distressing to see what some people do to animals out of sheer greed for profit."
What Happened Next
Not all of the animals survived. About 30 died during or after the journey, which is hardly surprising for reptiles sealed inside bottles and socks for a long-haul trip with a connection. The survivors were checked by a veterinarian and are now being cared for at a snake farm in central Germany.
The man never made it past the airport. Germany refused him entry, and he was flown back to Istanbul the day after he arrived. Reports haven't said whether he faces any charges.
Why Customs Cares About What's in Your Bag
Customs officers watch behavior as closely as luggage, and a nervous traveler at the “nothing to declare” exit is exactly who they’re trained to notice. In this case, that instinct led them to search for drugs, and they found something nobody expected.
Wildlife is a big part of why they’re so watchful. Most countries tightly control which animals can cross their borders, both to protect endangered species and to keep out diseases and pests that could harm local wildlife and farms. It’s the same reason some airlines spray insecticide in the cabin before landing in certain countries. For travelers, the rule of thumb is simple: if you’re bringing any animal, plant or food across a border, declare it, and check the destination country’s rules before you pack.
