U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made a major wildlife trafficking bust last week, seizing a truck carrying 163 animals, many of them exotic reptiles, at the Anzalduas International Bridge.
On October 22, CBP officers encountered a silver Toyota truck attempting to exit the U.S. into Mexico. A secondary inspection revealed dozens of reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids concealed within the vehicle. Officials say the animals were hidden in an apparent attempt to smuggle them across the border illegally.
Among the seized wildlife were 24 royal pythons, multiple species of milk snakes and king snakes, various lizards, tree frogs, tarantulas, and several rare python morphs. The driver was arrested, and both the vehicle and the animals were taken into custody. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now handling the investigation.
CBP says the smuggling of exotic reptiles and other wildlife has become more frequent in the region. “We work closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure federal laws are followed and these animals are protected,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez.
Officials emphasized that the transportation of exotic reptiles and other wildlife must go through proper legal channels, including designated ports of entry and applicable permits.
A similar incident in 2022 involved a California man attempting to smuggle over 1,700 reptiles, with dozens hidden in his clothing.
The full list of animals found in the latest seizure includes:
- 24 royal pythons
- 15 green anoles
- 11 spotted salamanders
- 10 sick red eye tree frogs
- 10 albino milk snakes
- 10 orange milk snakes
- 10 Mexican black king snakes
- 4 monarch ball pythons
- 4 tarantulas
- 3 pacman frogs (yellow)
- 3 coffee pacman frogs
- 3 Chilean rose tarantulas
- 3 Irian Jaya blue tongued skinks
- 3 bearded dragons
- 3 savannah monitors
- 3 Rankin dragons
- 3 albino aberrant California king snakes
- 3 albino banded California king snakes
- 3 albino striped California king snakes
- 3 albino/amelanistic corn snakes
- 3 black corn snakes
- 2 ball pythons
- 2 Honduran milk snakes
- 2 ornate monitor lizards
- 2 Chinese cave geckos
- 2 veiled chameleons
- 2 centipedes
- 2 green tree pythons
- 2 high white California king snakes
- 1 Timor python
- 1 carpet python
- 1 garter snake
- 1 banana blade clown
- 1 banana spotnose
- 1 pinstripe ball python
- 1 fire skink
- 1 Indian star tortoise
- 1 ghost Aztec jungle boa
- 1 female juvenile axanthic banana ball python
- 1 female juvenile axanthic banana lesser ball python
- 1 juvenile axanthic lesser ball python
- 1 juvenile axanthic ball python
- 1 juvenile ghost piebald ball python
- 1 juvenile piebald ball python
- 1 male juvenile axanthic banana enchi ball python
Authorities say many of these exotic reptiles are often targeted for the underground pet trade, where rare species can sell for thousands of dollars. The investigation remains ongoing.