Twenty-eight pythons were seized during the operation conducted by Turkish customs officials at the Kapıkule border with Bulgaria Tuesday.

Edirne provincial security teams searched a truck at the Kapıkule Border Gate and confiscated the snakes, as per Anadolu Agency (AA) reports.

Investigating a tip, the teams thoroughly examined the truck belonging to the suspect identified as I.K.

The snakes, which were found in the trailer section of the truck, were concealed inside a cloth bag, wrapped in women's stockings.

Out of the 28 pythons discovered, one was already dead.

Following the seizure, the driver, I.K., and a passenger, F.Ç., were taken into custody.

The snakes were subsequently taken under veterinary supervision and handed over to the Edirne Nature Conservation and National Parks Branch Office.