A Chinese man was arrested for running an illegal snake-breeding operation out of his apartment.
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Authorities discovered over 300 pythons owned by the reptile breeder, who is addressed by his surname Guo.
Guo initially purchased four pythons in 2014. From there, he began breeding the snake breed frequently.
In total, 309 pythons were seized from Guo's residence, which were later transferred to a local zoo.
"I am capable of cultivating snakes of various colours," Guo said, according to South China Morning Post. "I feel like a creature creator."
The case began when an elderly man discovered a python at the base of a mountain in China. Pythons are not native to the region, so he figured that it must have escaped from captivity.
Since pythons can only survive in warm and humid conditions, authorities began reviewing nearby residents' electricity usage. Authorities grew suspicious of Guo due to his exorbitant electricity usage.
Their investigation led them to a jarring discovery at Guo's residence.
Police found dozens of containers filled with illegally owned pythons throughout the apartment.
Guo converted two bedrooms and the living room into reptile enclosures. His personal belongings and furniture were kept in a single bedroom, authorities said.
Police also investigated a man named Di, who allegedly made frequent trips to Guo's apartment to provide mice as snake food.
Three Men Arrested For Snake-Breeding Operation
Guo often shared photos of the pythons on social media while subtly suggesting an intent to sell them.
A transaction record indicated that Di had sold two pythons to another individual for 1,000 yuan ( or $150).
Upon discovering this, police officers arrested Guo and Di.
A third man, identified as Deng, who allegedly sold Guo his first snakes, was also arrested. Police found 47 pythons at Deng's home.
According to the report, the case involved a whopping 436 pythons valued at more than 30 million yuan, or roughly $4.2 million.
All three men involved in the multi-million-dollar scheme were sentenced to prison. Details of the sentences have not been publicly revealed.
