My snake was a drug mule!

i got an email today asking if i was interested in adopting a male BP. i've been keeping snakes for a while, but i've never had a BP, so i jumped on the opportunity. there is quite a history behind this snake. he was formerly used for drug smuggling until he was confiscated by law enforcement and turned over to a local animal shelter. his drug-running days are over, and he'll be living a clean life with me and my other drug-free snakes. here's a picture. can someone give an estimate on the age/life stage of this snake?
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...DSCN2004sm.jpg

how did this drug smuggling work?? im quite intrigued

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Originally Posted by jdmls88

how did this drug smuggling work?? im quite intrigued

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i was told they just forced the drugs down the snake's throat, in a ballon. but i don't see what would stop it from regurgitating. so i'm thinking they probably put the drugs in a rat first, and then had the snake eat it.

First of all: DAMN! :(

Secondly: major kudos to you for taking in this poor abused snake. I've never heard of using snakes as 'drug mules' but, I'm sure these scum would try anything.

I did a quick Google search and found an article that mentions using boa constrictors as mules. You can read it here: Snakes and Illegal Drugs

From the above mentioned article:
"On June 29th, 1993, Drug Enforcement Agents at Miami airport found 36 kilos of cocaine wrapped in condoms and stuffed into Boa constrictors, Boa constrictor. The snakes, imported from South America, were still alive when found, and consisted of 312 animals averaging about 1.5 metres in length. The cocaine was only found by accident when one of the snakes was seen to have an unnatural bulge. Officials X-rayed it to see what was inside and removed two condom-wrapped pellets, each containing four ounces of cocaine. Despite observation the officials were unable to apprehend anyone in relation to the case. They were also unable to find the importer and no arrests or charges were laid. It was the largest discovery of drugs in snakes ever."

Lastly: 20-30 years is generally listed as a safe estimate. (Although the oldest on record passed at 47.)

Please be sure to read over the excellent Ball Python Care Sheet located on this site.

Good luck with your new buddy, and may you both enjoy many happy years together.

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Originally Posted by NightLad

First of all: DAMN! :(

Secondly: major kudos to you for taking in this poor abused snake. I've never heard of using snakes as 'drug mules' but, ever since hearing about the woman who used her own toddler as a human mule, I don't put much past anybody.

Lastly: 20-30 years is generally listed as a safe estimate. (Although the oldest on record passed at 47.)

Please be sure to read over the excellent Ball Python Care Sheet located on this site.

Good luck with your new buddy, and may you both enjoy many happy years together.

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yeah, crazy huh?

i wasn't asking for life expectancy, i was asking for an estimate on the age of my individual, based on size. i'm familiar with the care sheet. thanks for the encouraging words.

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Originally Posted by Street Killer

yeah, crazy huh?

i wasn't asking for life expectancy, i was asking for an estimate on the age of my individual, based on size. i'm familiar with the care sheet. thanks for the encouraging words.

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Well, snakes can get to full size within 3 years and then slow down considerably, but they all of different growth rates depending on genetics and diet.

Your snake appears to be about 3.5 feet long which could be full size for a male or a small female, so it's almost impossible to give an estimate on age. If I had to guess I would say between 2-5 years old.

wow!!! thank goodness hes safe now

Ummm... I'm still confused! :oops: Wouldn't the stomach acid eat through the laytex??? AND! How did they extract the drugs?? Did they wait for the snake to poo??? Or did they cut it out??? And if they cut it out... why is your BP not "un-alive"!?!?


OH YEA!!! lol Congrats on your new baby! The care sheet is amazing, and there is a whole lil' world of great people here!

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Originally Posted by Laooda

Ummm... I'm still confused! :oops: Wouldn't the stomach acid eat through the laytex??? AND! How did they extract the drugs?? Did they wait for the snake to poo??? Or did they cut it out??? And if they cut it out... why is your BP not "un-alive"!?!?

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...thats what im sayin...

He looks a little on the skinny side too. :(

Anyone ever seen Steve-O's video where he does the same thing.... some green leafy stuff into a condom... swallows it... jumps on a plane ... flys to a new country then pukes it up... It was only in his stomach like 4-6hrs and apparently the latex is resistant to stomach acid? ... maybe its like corn?? haha... Either way if the stomach acid did get through... 4ounces of cocane would prolly kill a snake... With that kinda $$ Im sure they just crap it out and whala theres the unbroken condom.

Name him "Escobar!"

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Name him "Escobar!"

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:rofl:

i just don't see how that would be very 'profitable'... smugglers usually import large amounts....

anyways... tragicly cool story:gj:

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Name him "Escobar!"

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HAHA good one:rofl:

Latex will not be destroyed with stomach acid. It may wear it down, but not melt it.

Ugh... Doesn't sound like much fun. :(

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

He looks a little on the skinny side too. :(

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yeah, he is, but he's on the road to recovery.

anyway, i was told while he was at the animal shelter that he poo'd out something that wasn't poop. so yeah, that's how they do it.

his name is Rico. named after the cocaine dealer in Crocodile Dundee.

That's a really crazy story.

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Originally Posted by JoshJP7

... 4ounces of cocane would prolly kill a snake... .

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I think 1 gram is lethal to humans, so I'm sure a QP would kill a boa. You'd probably have one rowdy snake for about 3 seconds though.

thats sad to put drugs in a snake =/ glad you saved it :)

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Originally Posted by Street Killer

yeah, he is, but he's on the road to recovery.

anyway, i was told while he was at the animal shelter that he poo'd out something that wasn't poop. so yeah, that's how they do it.

his name is Rico. named after the cocaine dealer in Crocodile Dundee.

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Great name! :D So glad he wound up with you, poor thing!

update: he's doing just fine and taking pre killed rats without hesitation. i have a question about his demeanor. he is very skiddish. can i make him more comfortable with handling by interacting with him more, or is this simply the nature of a ball python?

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Originally Posted by Street Killer

update: he's doing just fine and taking pre killed rats without hesitation. i have a question about his demeanor. he is very skiddish. can i make him more comfortable with handling by interacting with him more, or is this simply the nature of a ball python?

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I'm glad to hear he is doing well. Thanks for posting the update!

I'm no expert, but if somebody was using him as a drug mule, than I doubt he was loved or handled much at all. If he was handled (which I assume is how they forced him to eat a condom filled with smack), it was most likely only with violence. When he is handled he is expecting to be hurt, like any other type of abused creature.

I'd approach him like a baby BP that isn't sure of you or your intentions when you handle him. Build up his trust and comfort with you gradually, until he understands that you mean not harm and he is finally safe.

Warm holiday wishes to you both!