A Czech man believed to be involved in an exotic species smuggling was arrested at an Argentina airport while trying to board a flight to Madrid with nearly 250 animals in his luggage

X-ray technicians were shocked to see moving animals when they scanned Karel Abelovsky’s baggage earlier this month.

After seeing the animals, staff at the Iberia Airlines desk at Ezeiza Airport opened the bags to find various reptiles and molluscs moving around.

In total, 247 live animals were found, among them were 9 species of poisonous snakes. Many of the animals are extremely rare and protected under the International Trade in Endangered Species Convention.

Among the animals found, two were already dead, and many more could have died from lack of oxygen had they made it into the plane’s cargo area.

Abelovsky has been charged with attempted smuggling and faces up to 10 years in prison.