Overview
- CBP officers at the Anzalduas International Bridge in Hidalgo, Texas, inspected a silver Toyota truck on Oct. 22 and found 163 live reptiles, spiders and centipedes concealed in jars and bags.
- The truck was headed to Mexico, and officers seized the vehicle as Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested the driver.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took custody of the animals while the criminal investigation proceeds.
- Officials listed roughly 45 species among the haul, including 24 royal pythons, multiple milk and king snakes, tarantulas, frogs, bearded dragons, monitors and an Indian star tortoise.
- Port Director Carlos Rodriguez said attempts to smuggle exotic pets have increased in the area, and recent cases at the border have also involved trafficked spider monkeys.