Albuquerque drug raid uncovers 60 venomous exotic snakes

Federal law‑enforcement agents executed a search warrant on July 22 at the home of a suspected cocaine dealer in the South Valley area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. In addition to seizing a half‑pound of cocaine, three firearms and $22,000 in cash, agents discovered a collection of roughly 60 exotic snakes, many of them highly venomous. The reptiles included inland taipan – regarded as the most potent land‑snake venom worldwide – as well as king and spitting cobras, green and black mambas, Russell's viper, pit vipars, fer‑de‑lance and reticulated pythons. Some snakes were found in cages, others in trash cans and plastic tubs. New Mexico wildlife officers assisted the raid and identified 52 of the snakes as lethal to humans. Experts said maintaining the collection could cost up to $600 weekly, while certain rare species can fetch prices of up to $20,000 on the black market. Authorities did not indicate prior knowledge of the snakes before the raid.