12 pythons seized by Customs at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated yesterday 12 pythons at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The snakes were concealed in a package, which arrived at the Central Mail Exchange Center from Indonesia recently.

BOC-NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan said the pythons were misdeclared as taro chips.

The shipment lacked the necessary import permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry, Talusan said.

Prior to this, the BOC seized 250 live geckos at the Pair Cargo warehouse near the NAIA Terminal 1.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), pythons are sold in the market for P5,000 to P20,000.

The BOC said importation of wildlife species without a permit is in violation of Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act.

The pythons were turned over to the DENR.