Snake smuggling attempt foiled

SURABAYA: Customs and excise officials here foiled a company's attempt to smuggle 1,500 protected snakes out to China on Thursday, a press report said yesterday.

The snakes, which were to be smuggled by PT Pilar Rekayasa Muda to Chinese restaurants in Guangzhou specializing in delicacies, will be released back into their natural habitat, Antara reported.

Paulus, an official at the forestry ministry's provincial office, said yesterday that the company's managers would be quizzed soon on the incident.

Customs and excise officials said the snakes, mostly cobras, are worth about Rp 200 million ($25,000). Company documents stated that the boxes contained frogs.

The slithery animals were put in 70 wooden boxes measuring one meter by 50 centimeters by 30 centimeters each.

Paulus said the snakes were from a protected species. (pan)