Four held with poisonous snakes

KOCHI: Four persons were arrested on Wednesday for keeping custody of poisonous snakes without licence. The four were arrested after the police conducted a check on the plastic bag that they were carrying.At least seven snakes, including four cobras, one rat snake and a python were found in the plastic bag. The snakes were used for displaying in major hotels and clubs. They used to charge `20,000 for a ten-minute programme.The arrested are Kollam resident Aneesh, 25, Edakadu Sivakumar, 18, Manampuzha Rahul, 19, Anjalamudoodu George and his son Sumesh, 25.According to the police, the four were arrested when they were about to board a bus from Vyttila. The bag was kept unprotected and it could have turned fatal for the passengers of the bus.Special Branch Assistant Commissioner M N Ramesh, shadow police S I Muhammed Nasser and Panangad S I A B Vipin arrested the four. The snakes were later handed over to the forest officials and a case registered as per the Wild Life Act 1972. Forest officer Haridas said that the snakes will be freed in the forests.