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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KOAT) — Federal agents uncovered half a pound of cocaine, three guns, $22,000 in cash and 60 snakes during a raid at a South Valley home. The raid was part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged distribution of cocaine.
Many of the snakes found inside the home are venomous.
“There are a lot of kids here. And one of those goes out and they’re gone, I just stay away from snakes. I’m really upset,” said one resident who lived nearby.
According to the seizure inventory, the collection included cobras, mambas, pit vipers and pythons. Some of the snakes were named, including pythons “Sunset” and “William,” and cobras “Blizzard” and “Pablo Escobar.” The inventory also listed an inland taipan.
New Mexico Game and Fish says most of the snakes seized are venomous, and a bite from many of them would require immediate medical attention. Among the reptiles recovered was an inland taipan, considered one of the world’s most venomous snakes. Officials say the snakes appear to be in good condition after undergoing professional examinations. They are now being housed at a permitted facility while the agency works to find permanent placements. Because each species has unique care and safety requirements, the snakes will only be transferred to facilities with trained staff equipped to properly handle and care for venomous reptiles.
Connor Sharp, who captures and relocates snakes for a living, said the inland taipan stood out.
“Somebody having drop for drop the most venomous snake on the planet in captivity just outside of Albuquerque was pretty surprising to me, honestly,” Sharp said.
Sharp noted the danger of the inland taipan goes beyond its venom, as securing the proper treatment is difficult.
“Probably no medical facilities in the state of New Mexico are going to have antivenom that would be used to treat a bite from an inland taipan,” Sharp said.
Treatment for snake bites is also expensive.
“Even for a normal rattlesnake bite in the US, it’s going to cost you about $100,000 with insurance, depending on how severe the bite was,” Sharp said.
Despite the fear associated with snakes, Sharp said they do not want to waste their venom on humans because humans are not a food source.
“If you’re out hiking or in your yard and a snake is around and rattles and alerts you to his presence, if you stop and stay on your ground like you should do, first and foremost, 99% of the time, they are going to move the other direction and try to get away from you,” Sharp said.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is working to provide photos of the seized reptiles.
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