By T.K. Randall
October 7, 2022 · 0 comments
Burmese pythons are a major problem in parts of the US. Image Credit: Everglades NPS
Officers caught the bungling smuggler with the enormous reptiles attached to the insides of his trouser legs.
According to reports, the culprit – 36-year-old Calvin Bautista – was arraigned earlier this week and is facing federal charges after officers apprehended him in Upstate New York back in 2018.
The snakes, which can grow up to 16ft in length, had been carefully concealed inside his pants (it’s difficult to imagine trying to act naturally with multiple giant snakes down your trousers).
Burmese pythons are considered an invasive species in the US and it is illegal to bring them into the country.
If found guilty, Bautista could face a fine of up to $250,000 and a jail sentence of up to 20 years.
The species was first introduced in the Florida Everglades in the 1980s and has since gained a significant foothold, resulting in a major decline in raccoons, opossums and bobcats as well as the near total disappearance of some rabbit and fox species.
Wildlife officials have since spent years attempting to remove the reptiles from the region.
Source: MSN.com | Comments (0)
