Man tries to slither through airport security, smuggling more than 90 venomous snakes and lizards

A 45-year-old Mexican citizen was arrested Thursday at Cologne-Bonn Airport in Germany after attempting to smuggle more than 90 lizards and venomous snakes. Customs officials said that the man appeared "extremely nervous" as he tried to go through the green channel at the airport customs.

They administered a drug test to the man, which came back positive for cocaine, before continuing to inspect his suitcase. Although they did not find any drugs there, they did discover vipers, rattlesnakes, and other species of snakes. They also found lizards, including iguanas, which were hidden in shampoo and lotion bottles and in plastic containers.

"My colleagues at the airport are used to a lot when it comes to souvenirs in suitcases, but we have never before had 37 live venomous snakes and 55 lizards from Mexico," said Jens Ahland, a spokesperson for customs in Cologne.

Some of them were held "in inhuman conditions," said Ahland. Others died during the journey from Mexico City via Istanbul.

The man, whose name was not released, told police he brought the animals as a favor for a Brazilian acquaintance. His entry to Germany was denied, and he was flown back to Istanbul.

And what about the animals that survived? The inspectors transferred them to a snake farm in Germany.