On the border between Turkey and Bulgaria, pythons that had been the subject of a smuggling operation were discovered wrapped in women’s pantyhose.
On Tuesday, 28 snakes were confiscated by customs officers at the Kapikule border crossing, which is the main location for trade between the EU and Turkey, Syria, and Iran.
Authorities searched a truck owned by a suspect known only as I.K after receiving a tip, according to the Daily Sabah.
The reptiles were found in the trailer section of the truck, concealed inside a cloth bag, and wrapped in stockings.
![epa05572800 Police officers of European Border and Coast Guard stand on duty, during the official launch of the European Border and Coast Guard, in Kapitan Andreevo Check Point, on the borders of Bulgaria with Turkey, 06 October 2016. The new European Border and Coast Guard Agency started its operation along the Bulgarian-Turkish border at Kapitan Andreevo checkpint, the biggest border crossing from EU member state Bulgaria to Turkey. Built on Frontex, the new Agency will ensure stronger shared management of the EU's external borders. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker called, in his state of the union speech to the European Parliament, on member states to deploy extra border guards and 50 vehicles to Bulgaria by October. EPA/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AD_221865929-0649.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=540%2C351)
Out of the 28 pythons discovered, one was already dead. Both the driver, I.K., and a passenger, F.Ç., were taken into custody.
Bulgarian media reported that the truck had arrived from Germany.
The snakes were subsequently taken under veterinary supervision and handed over to the Edirne Nature Conservation and National Parks Branch Office.