Man jailed for smuggling snakes in his pants

A 30-year-old California man has pleaded guilty to allegations he smuggled snakes and lizards into the country by hiding them in his pants.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Jose Manuel Perez used social media to coordinate the illegal imports of animals like the Yucatan box turtle, Mexican box turtle and Mexican beaded lizard for more than six years before he was caught at the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this year.

Perez was arrested after live reptiles contained in tied-up bags were found hidden in his jacket, pants pockets and groin area.

Three of the animals died as a result of the smuggling attempt.

Perez is believed to have made more than $700,000 selling more than 1,700 creatures.