CBP seizes exotic animal skins at New Mexico port
Posted at: 10/03/2012 3:59 PM
By: Associated Press
SANTA TERESA, N.M. (AP) - Federal authorities say they've seized hundreds of pieces of exotic animal skins at the Santa Teresa port of entry in New Mexico.
They say the driver of a vehicle coming from Mexico made a negative declaration for any goods to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer working the primary inspection booth.
CBP officers examined the vehicle and located several bundles of exotic snake skins and snake skin wallets in the center console.
The driver told officers that he knows it's illegal to import the items and that's why they were hidden.
CBP officials say 332 python skins, six python skin wallets and five armadillo skin wallets were seized and turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers.
They say the unidentified driver was fined $500 for failure to declare.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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