ROSTOV-ON-DON, August 20 (RIA Novosti) -Russian customs officers have confiscated an undeclared 1.5-meter (4.5-foot) boa constrictor while checking a train in Taganrog, in southern Russia, a source in the local customs service said Monday.
A woman traveling from the west Ukrainian city of Lvov concealed the snake, meant for entertaining tourists at Russian Black Sea resorts, in a cardboard box. Customs officers took the "illegal migrant" to an animal shelter in Rostov to determine its origin and value.
An investigation into the case was launched, and the smuggler could face a fine three times what the reptile is worth.
