U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted a tractor with 39 live pythons hiding inside on March 5 while conducting outbound operations. The driver was starting to cross the World Trade Bridge from Laredo in Texas to Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas. 

CBP officers flagged for inspection a 2021 Peterbilt tractor traveling to Mexico and then found the snakes after the driver had provided a declaration that no prohibited goods were being transported.

Officials contacted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents who took custody of the animals. The pythons were transported to a controlled environment where their condition could be monitored, according to CBP reports. 

The driver was given penalties of $34,824 for export violations, while CBP seized the tractor and trailer.

Exporting live reptiles across the U.S.-Mexico border requires compliance with several U.S. and international regulations, and approval must be given from agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Census Bureau. 

This is not the first time this year that someone has been caught trying to smuggle wildlife across the border. In February, a U.S. citizen allegedly attempted to transport 11 parrots in a private vehicle from Mexico into the U.S., via the Córdova–Las Américas International Bridge near Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.

This followed an incident in November when a man was caught attempting to smuggle two Mexican orange-fronted parakeets in his pants across the border between Tijuana and San Diego.

“The interception of live pythons at the World Trade Bridge highlights the vigilance and dedication of our CBP officers in enforcing laws that protect both our borders and our environment,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “CBP remains committed to preventing the illegal importation and exportation of wildlife and ensuring compliance with all federal regulations.” 

 With reports from CBS News