Smuggled snakes seized at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport foiled an attempt to smuggle into the country two shipments of Sumatran blood pythons from Indonesia declared as taro chips on Friday.

Shipped with no import permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the six snakes were  turned over to the DENR Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit. The rest were found dead upon examination.

The first shipment was consigned to Richard Mercado, of Barangay Laging Handa in Quezon City, according to the BOC.

Another shipment also declared as taro chips and consigned to Rosebelle Ane, of Tomas Mapua in Sta. Cruz, Manila, was sent by Aziz Irwanto of Tangerang. It contained three dead blood pythons. 

Charges of violations of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and RA 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act would be filed against the consignees of the shipments.