A "gift" on the Balkan Express

An unexpected "gift" was found in the compartment of the Sofia-Istanbul train.

This option of moving between Bulgaria and Turkey is popular with tourists who want to visit the two oldest cities in Europe. Comfortable double compartments, cheap tickets, overnight transfer. The only inconvenience is that when crossing the border at night, you need to get on the platform to check in at passport control.

While sleepy tourists stand in line at the window, customs officers check the composition for the presence of prohibited goods. Usually, questions are raised about the amount of alcohol and tobacco products being transported, or expensive jewelry. As elsewhere, the transportation of explosive and narcotic substances, cultural property and wild animals is prohibited.

But what was discovered on the train on the eve of the New Year holidays stunned the seasoned customs officers. 33 pythons were sleeping peacefully under a blanket in the bed of one of the passengers. The owner of the serpentarium answered all the questions unequivocally: I'm bringing New Year's gifts to friends. Despite such a noble reason, customs officers seized the unusual gift. Now the suspected python smuggler will be brought to justice. The snakes will be handed over to the District Department of Nature Protection. And the friends of the salesman will be left without New Year's gifts.