In March, U.S. customs officers took a man into custody after discovering three highly venomous king cobras in potato chip cans. The California man, Rodrigo Franco, has now been sentenced to five months in federal prison for his dangerous decision, according to Associated Press.
Officers originally found three snakes stuffed into the canisters while inspecting a package from Hong Kong. The package also contained three albino Chinese soft-shelled turtles. A third container holding six protected turtles was intercepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In a plea agreement, Franco admitted that he smuggled an additional 20 cobras into Los Angeles, but they all died during travel. Federal agents later searched Franco's home and found tanks that housed a baby crocodile, alligator snapping turtles, and five diamondback terrapins.
U.S. District Judge George Wu also ordered Franco to pay a $4,500 fine, according to Los Angeles Times.
If horrifying snake photos aren't enough to make you think twice before popping open your next can of Pringles, prosecutors kindly explained that king cobras' venom can kill humans within 30 minutes of a bite if there isn't any antivenom available. Good to know.
