Chinese customs officials got a surprise in late June when a woman with “strange body shape” was arrested and found she had hidden five US-origin snakes in her bra.
At the border between mainland China and Hong Kong, customs officials at Shenzhen’s Futian Port spotted the five hissing reptiles, individually wrapped in nylon stockings and hidden in a traveller’s bra, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday.
Initially, it was the “bizarre” figure of the woman who allegedly gave the officials a clue, which led to further checks, customs officials said on their official WeChat account last Saturday.
The five reptiles identified as corn snakes are believed to be native to the southeastern United States. According to Chinese English-language media, these reptiles are said to be gaining popularity in China because of their beautiful colors and gentle temperament.
In the first publication, Internet users praised the work of the officials, impressed by their lynx eyes. Others expressed disgust for the reptiles instead.
“I won’t even touch them let alone hide them in my bra,” one of them commented.
“I don’t even watch snakes on my phone,” replied a second.