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SAMUT PRAKAN : An Iranian man has been detained at Suvarnabhumi airport after 50 snakes were allegedly found hidden in socks in his suitcase.
SNAKES ALIVE!: Iranian Ghahremani Arash, right, allegedly tried to hide snakes he bought from Chatuchak market in the socks of his luggage, but was foiled by airport customs. PHOTO: SUTHIWIT CHAYUTWORAKAN
Ghahremani Arash, 23, is suspected of attempting to smuggle the reptiles out of the country. He was detained around 1.30am yesterday, following a tip-off that his bag probably contained illegal products.
Customs officers at the airport searched his luggage and found various live snakes stuffed in 26 different socks.
He was detained shortly before he was scheduled to board a Mahan Air flight to Iran.
Related report: Thailand a hub for animal smuggling
Airport customs office director Eklarp Ratanaruj said his office had received information that the man would attempt to smuggle some illegal products out of Thailand.
Mr Arash admitted buying the reptiles from Chatuchak Market but he did not have documents stating that he had permission to take them out of the country, said Mr Eklarp.
Mr Arash told officers that he bought the snakes to add to his collection.
However, customs authorities said a preliminary check on his passport showed that he is suspected of being part of an animal smuggling gang.
Customs handed the suspect over to the airport police station for further legal proceedings, while the snakes will be sent to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for further inspection.