A man who tried to slither past U.S. border agents in California had 52 lizards and snakes hidden in his clothing, authorities said Tuesday.
The man was driving a truck when he arrived at the San Ysidro border crossing with Mexico on Feb. 25 and was pulled out for additional inspection, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement.
Agents found 52 live reptiles tied up in small bags “which were concealed in the man's jacket, pants pockets, and groin area," the statement said.
Nine snakes and 43 horned lizards were seized. Some of the species are considered endangered, authorities said.
“Smugglers will try every possible way to try and get their product, or in this case live reptiles, across the border,” said Sidney Aki, Customs and Border Protection director of field operations in San Diego. “In this occasion, the smuggler attempted to deceive CBP officers in order to bring these animals into the US, without taking care for the health and safety of the animals."
The man, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen, was arrested.
Roughly one in six American households are behind on utility bills as energy prices surge across the country to the highest level in nearly 15 years, according to reports. Here's how to save some cash on your heating bills.
Trevor Noah said he will return to host the Grammy Awards.
Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced a resolution that officially recognizes 2023 as Pennsylvania's Taylor Swift era in honor of the singer's positive impact on the state's economy, voter registration numbers, consumer protection and pro labor practices.
'If,' a new family comedy starring Ryan Reynolds, aims to explain what happens to children's imaginary friends after they grow up.
A new installment in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise will see Eddie Murphy back as Axel Foley, a Detroit cop solving crimes in Beverly Hills.
There was a happy ending for a shelter dog in Austin, Texas named Alva who spent more than 500 days at a Texas rescue shelter.
A loose bull on the tracks at a New Jersey train station snarled rail traffic on Thursday.
The earliest version of Disney's Mickey Mouse will become public domain on Jan. 1, 2024.
The revelation of a Masked Singer contestant Wednesday night came with some interesting news about a possible band reunion.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is set to star in a movie playing MMA and UFC legend, Mark Care, while Kevin Hart will headline a boxing project over on Peacock.
