Mexican firefighter stopped at Cologne Bonn Airport with dozens of snakes and lizards

A 45‑year‑old Mexican firefighter was stopped at Cologne Bonn Airport after customs found more than 90 lizards and venomous snakes in his suitcase, and he tested positive for cocaine although no drugs were found in his luggage; he was denied entry to Germany and flown back to Istanbul the following day.

Customs officials identified 37 venomous snakes and 55 lizards from Mexico, and about 30 of the animals died during or after the journey; the surviving reptiles are being cared for at a snake farm in central Germany.