The 22-year-old Norwegian was stopped in a routine check by Kristiansand customs after arriving on a ferry from Denmark, the Faedrelandsvennen newspaper reported. After finding a tarantula in the man’s bag, customs officials decided to give him a full body search that revealed 14 stockings – one for each snake – taped around his torso.
Reptile smuggling is not uncommon in Norway but Helge Breilid, the office manager at Kristiansand customs, said customs officers had been “horrified” by the case.
“Customs officers quickly realised the man was smuggling animals, because his whole body was in constant motion,” Mr Breilid said.
When the man dropped his pants, the officers found 10 cans taped to his legs, each containing a lizard, he said.
The man is in police custody. The reptiles were handed over to a security firm until Norwegian authorities decide what to do with them
Post published in: Africa News