A Texas trucker learned the hard way that "nothing to declare" doesn't hold up when you're hauling 39 live pythons. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo intercepted the snakes on March 5 - packed in bags inside a commercial tractor headed south into Mexico - in what investigators are calling a suspected wildlife smuggling operation.
The incident occurred during outbound operations when CBP officers encountered a 2021 Peterbilt tractor traveling toward Mexico and selected the driver and vehicle for inspection. The driver gave a negative declaration for prohibited goods. Officers found 39 pythons hidden inside the tractor anyway.
Photos released by CBP showed officers removing the snakes one by one from individual bags stowed inside the truck cab. The animals were described as being in poor condition at the time of discovery.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents were contacted and took custody of the pythons, transporting them to a controlled environment for care. Penalties totaling $34,824 were issued for export violations. CBP seized both the tractor and the trailer. The case remains under active investigation by the Fish and Wildlife Service and Homeland Security Investigations.
The CBP's Laredo Field Office posted about the bust on social media, putting its own spin on the discovery:
"Im a Ssssnakkeeee" CBP Officers at World Trade Bridge in Laredo, TX discovered 39 pythons concealed in shipping boxes. The snakes were seized and turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife and assessed $34,824 in penalties – and that's nothing to hiss about! @USFWS
— Director of Field Operations, Donald R. Kusser (@DFOLaredo) March 16, 2026
Exporting live reptiles from the United States to Mexico is strictly regulated by federal and international law, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requirements, USDA animal health export standards, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, known as CITES.
"The interception of live pythons at the World Trade Bridge highlights the vigilance and dedication of our CBP officers in enforcing laws that protect both our borders and our environment," said Port Director Alberto Flores of the Laredo Port of Entry. "CBP remains committed to preventing the illegal importation and exportation of wildlife and ensuring compliance with all federal regulations."
No arrests have been announced. The identity of the driver has not been released by authorities.
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