Smuggler caught with five live snakes stuffed in her BRA as customs noticed ‘oddly-shaped’ breasts 

Customs officers in China caught a woman in the act of trying to smuggle five live snakes which she had stuffed in her bra.

But the ‘weird’ shape of her chest made Futian Port Passenger Inspection officers suspicious, and after getting her to remove her top, they discovered the snakes tied up in stockings underneath.

The woman was caught as she tried to enter via boat into Shenzhen, which is a major sub-provincial city, and one of the places where people can cross to Hong Kong.

The find was announced by China Customs on its official WeChat account last week on July 8.

All the snakes were later identified as corn snakes, which are non-venomous snakes native to the US, which are popular in the online marketplace but illegal to import into the country.

All the snakes were later identified as corn snakes, which are non-venomous snakes native to the US

The snakes were tied up in stockings and ‘hidden’ in the smuggler’s bra

The ban was introduced to prevent unregulated introduction of non-native species into the local countryside, but also because of the risk of them carrying diseases or bacteria that could infect locals into the country.

However, they are in high-demand because of their docile nature and bright vibrant colours, making them a viable option as exotic pets.

Reptile collectors make up 5.8 per cent of Chinese millions of pet owners according to Pethadoop’s 2021 report on the Country’s pet industry.

 China’s customs regulations dictate that an animals from abroad must be declared prior to entry, and undergo a period quarantine afterwards.

Furthermore, had they got into Shenzhen, they could have been traded without authorization of the Chinese central government because of the city’s Special Economic Zone status.

Officials have established some non-native species though, such as the water hyacinth, red fire ant and apple snail.

The snakes have now been handed over to zoo officials for safekeeping.