This nearly became a literal case of snakes on a plane.
Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of NAIA agents intercepted around two dozen live reptiles intended for export to Taiwan on Thursday, Feb. 18 at a DHL warehouse.
The package, which held two venomous spitting cobras, eight pit vipers, and 15 sailfin lizard was declared to contain "souvenir items" by a certain “Adrian Lim” from Pasig City. It was consigned to a certain “Ryan Su” of Taiwan.
The wildlife species, concealed inside the native purses of bamboo chimes and lanterns, were discovered by joint agents from Port of NAIA including those from the Export Division, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Environmental Protection and Compliance Division (EPCD) , X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP), Customs Intelligence and Inspection Service (CIIS) and DHL.
The operation was done in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which subsequently took custody of the animals.
Reports said the seized animals can be sold for as much as P300,000.
The Port of NAIA said it remains vigilant not only in the interception of illegal drugs but also on the illegal wildlife trade.
The BOC under Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero and the DENR led by Secretary Roy A. Cimatu are committed to strengthening their collaboration against the illegal wildlife trade, Port of NAIA District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan said.