43 Horned Lizards, 9 Snakes Hidden In Man's Clothes At CA Border

SAN DIEGO, CA — A man with 52 lizards and snakes hidden in and under his clothing tried to smuggle the reptiles into California from Mexico at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, authorities said Tuesday.

The man was driving a truck when he arrived Feb. 25 at the border crossing and was pulled aside for additional inspection, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Agents found 52 live reptiles tied up in small bags and hidden in the man's jacket, pants pockets and groin area, authorities said. Nine snakes and 43 horned lizards were seized. Some of the species are considered endangered.

The man, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen, was arrested for the smuggling attempt.

"Smugglers will try every possible way to try and get their product, or in this case live reptiles, across the border," San Diego CBP Director of Field Operations Sidney Aki said in a statement.

"In this occasion, the smuggler attempted to deceive CBP officers in order to bring these animals into the U.S., without taking care for the health and safety of the animals. CBP enforces hundreds of laws at the border for more than 40 different government agencies, in part to help stop smuggling attempts like these which can lead to trafficking of possibly endangered species."