A smuggler was caught with 52 lizards and snakes hidden in the clothes he was wearing as he tried to sneak past US Customs officials on the Mexico border. Some of the reptiles belong to endangered species.

The man was driving a truck when he arrived at the San Ysidro border crossing with Mexico on 25 February and was pulled out for additional inspection, US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement.

Customs officials found 52 live reptiles tied up in small bags “which were concealed in the man’s jacket, pants pockets and groin area”, the statement said.

Nine snakes and 43 horned lizards which officials said included endangered creatures were seized.  The man was arrested and his live cargo has been placed in quarantine.