Member Article

Snakes on a Plane! (almost)

A bag full of live snakes was nearly taken aboard a plane in Egypt after a man claimed he did not realise it was illegal to keep the live reptiles in his hand luggage. Security staff became suspicious of the bags when the X-ray machine at the departure gate produced strange readings. Police said they opened the bags and found a large number of reptiles, including at least one cobra, squirming to escape.

According to Sky News, the animals were confiscated and turned over to the Cairo Zoo and the man was allowed to board his flight home. Transporting live reptiles out of the country is illegal in Egypt, but the passenger said he was unaware of the ban. This defence does not work as often as many criminals would like.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .