16.10.2026 15:54
In the suitcase of a Mexican passenger traveling from Mexico City to Cologne, Germany, via Istanbul, 37 live venomous snakes and 55 lizards were seized. Traces of cocaine were also found on the hands of the passenger, who was stopped due to his nervous state and contradictory statements. It was determined that the animals were hidden in balls of socks and shampoo and cream bottles. The Cologne Main Customs Office announced that they had never encountered such an incident before.
The suitcase of a passenger who arrived at Istanbul Airport from Mexico and flew from there with a connection to Cologne, Germany, was taken under examination on suspicion. In the suitcase, venomous snakes hidden inside socks, and lizards inside shampoo and cream bottles were found.
The incident occurred at Cologne Airport in Germany. A Mexican person traveled from Mexico City to Cologne via Istanbul. As the passenger tried to use the green line in the evening hours, he was stopped due to his nervous state and contradictory statements about the purpose of his trip. After traces of cocaine were found in the drug swab test taken from the palms of his hands, an examination was carried out on the passenger's suitcase.
HE HID THEM IN BALLS OF SOCKS AND SHAMPOO BOTTLES
During searches by German customs teams in the suitcase, numerous snakes and lizards squeezed into plastic containers, shampoo and cream bottles, and balls of socks were revealed. The teams announced that 37 live venomous snakes and 55 lizards were seized in the suitcase.
'THIS IS AN UNUSUAL INCIDENT'
Speaking on the matter, Cologne Main Customs Office spokesperson Jens Ahland said, "Although our colleagues at the airport may know what they might encounter in suitcases, we had never before encountered 37 live venomous snakes and 55 lizards coming from Mexico. This is an unusual incident for German customs. What people do to animals for the sake of greed for money deeply affects us."