Smuggled reptiles seized in China

Border police in south China have seized a large number of snakes and tortoises in a cross-border smuggling case, officials said.

The reptiles, contained in 160 boxes in a truck, were confiscated in the coastal city of Fangchenggang in Guangxi Zhuang region, Xinhua reported.

The public security border defence forces said most of the animals were alive when they were found.

Police suspect that the reptiles were smuggled into China from neighbouring countries.

The animals were later handed over to forestry authorities.

In May, border police in the same city seized 89 boxes containing snakes and 24 boxes of tortoises.