Customs officers got a shock when checking a plane passenger’s carry-on luggage and they discovered a massive albino Burmese python.
The footage shows the suspect going through security at Tashkent airport in Uzbekistan before being instructed to open his carry-on luggage.
He then unzips the bag and reveals the 10 foot long snake curled up asleep inside it.
The man was promptly arrested.
The Customs Department for the Tashkent region said in a statement on 28th September: “The attempt to smuggle a three-metre snake at the ‘Gishtkuprik’ border customs post was uncovered
“At the ‘Gishtkuprik’ border customs post, a bag belonging to a passenger entering from a neighbouring state was scanned through the control X-ray machine.
“Inside, a snake, which had not been declared verbally to customs officers or in the passenger’s customs declaration, was discovered.”
It’s believed the snake is a tiger albino python, which is native to South and Southeast Asia.
Customs added: “Since this animal is listed in the International Red Book, international CITIES permission is required to import it into the Republic of Uzbekistan. However, in the case above, the passenger was unable to present such documents to the customs officers.
“An investigation is currently being conducted by the customs authorities. The snake has been handed over to the Tashkent Zoo, where specialists have assessed its condition as healthy.”
Watch the video below.