600 deadly cobras seized in Thailand

Customs officials found snakes after stopping vehicle

Customs officials in Thailand seized 600 deadly cobras destined for Laos after stopping a vehicle at a checkpoint.

Customs officials say the snakes came from Malaysia and were being shipped through Thailand for use in medicine or for food, SkyNews.com reports.

Officials reportedly worked off a tip and set up an X-ray checkpoint in Pranburi, a city south of Bangkok.

"The Bureau of Investigation and Suppression have been tracking this case for a year," Benja Louichareon, head of Thai customs, told SkyNews.com.

"It's a lot (of snakes)," she said. In May, officials seized 4,300 cobras, SkyNews.com reports.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested, and the snakes were given to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Some of the snakes died during the journey. The snakes that survived will be released into the wild.