NYC man smuggling pythons in pants sentenced to probation and $5k fine

A New York City man, Calvin Bautista, 38, received a sentence of one year of probation and a $5,000 fine for smuggling three Burmese pythons into the U.S. from Canada in 2018. Bautista admitted to sneaking the pythons during a bus ride from Montreal to New York City on July 15, 2018.

Discovery and legal proceedings

The bus passed through the Champlain Port of Entry in Clinton County, New York, where Customs and Border Protection officers discovered the pythons during a border search while reviewing Bautista's passport. The snakes were concealed inside snake bags attached to Bautista's pants near his inner thigh.

Burmese pythons are considered an invasive species in North America, and Bautista lacked the necessary permits and documentation for their importation. Court documents revealed that he purchased the snakes, valued at over $2,500, from a reptile store in Canada.

Investigation and prosecution

The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Customs and Border Protection, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping. Bautista's attorney declined to comment on the matter when contacted by The Associated Press.

Environmental impact

Burmese pythons, native to Asia, are one of the world's largest snakes and are considered a vulnerable species. This type of snake is not native to North America but has been introduced as an invasive species in the region. The sentencing of Bautista serves as a reminder of the strict regulations and consequences associated with the smuggling of wildlife, particularly when it comes to invasive species.

Protecting biodiversity

As incidents of wildlife trafficking continue to pose threats to ecosystems and species conservation, law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in pursuing and prosecuting such cases to protect the environment and biodiversity.