BANGKOK, July 17 (UPI) -- An Iranian man was caught by customs in Thailand trying to smuggle snakes out of the country tucked in socks in his luggage, authorities say.

Customs officers at an airport in Thailand received a tip Saturday, alerting them that Ghahremani Arash, 23, probably had illegal products in his luggage, the Bangkok Post reported. When the officers searched his bag, they found live snakes stuffed in 26 different socks.


Arash was detained at 1:30 a.m., shortly before he was to board a flight to Iran.

Arash admitted buying the snakes at a market, saying they were for his personal collection, however, could not provide documents stating he could take them out of the country.

Upon further investigation, customs officers found that Arash is suspected of being part of an animal smuggling circuit. He was then handed over to airport police for further interrogation.

The snakes will be sent to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for further inspection.