Man arraigned in Albany, accused of smuggling snakes across border

A Burmese python sits in the grass at Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 25, 2019. – Along with the venomous lionfish, the Burmese python is perhaps the least welcome invasive species in Florida: lacking any natural predators, it has happily chomped its way through the state’s wildlife. Native to Southeast Asia, the Burmese pythons have become a plague in Florida. (Photo by RHONA WISE / AFP) (Photo by RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images)

by: Michael Mahar

Posted: Oct 4, 2022 / 04:59 PM EDT

Updated: Oct 4, 2022 / 04:59 PM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A Queen’s man was arraigned in Albany on Tuesday. Calvin Bautista, 36, of Richmond Hill, was charged with smuggling three Burmese pythons in his pants into the United States at the Champlain Port of Entry, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Bautista allegedly smuggled the snakes in his pants while riding a bus crossing the U.S.-Canadian Border. The charge against Bautista carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. He was released pending trial.