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ndangered species are smuggled abroad via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, using school backpacks, suitcases and children’s toys to fool airport officers, an official said on Monday.

The Agriculture Ministry’s Quarantine Agency chief, Banun Harpini, said as many as 58 snakes, two turtles and a lizard that were intended to be delivered to Australia, China, Malaysia and the Philippines had been seized by the airport’s officials from July to October.

“Among the 58 snakes, there were rattlesnakes, which could endanger flights if they escaped,” Banun said as quoted by kompas.com, adding that most of the animals were identified as protected and critically endangered species.

Following the findings, Banun ensured that the agency, in cooperation with other relevant agencies including airport management, would tighten supervision of live animal shipments.