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Shortly after a passenger carrying a suitcase full of sex toys sparked a security alert that closed a whole airport terminal down, a man carrying 20 snakes in his hand baggage flew off to Russia.

German-language news outlet RP Online outlined the bizarre recent incidents, reporting that staff at Berlin’s Schönefeld Airport became suspicious when the owner of a large suitcase appeared reluctant to discuss what was inside, insisting it was full of “technical stuff”.

While probing the bag, security staff grew concerned that the contents could be explosive. The whole of Terminal D was shut down and evacuated while authorities carried out checks. Crisis teams stood ready.

The suitcase turned out to be full of sex toys.

Not long after that, a man passed through a German airport carrying 20 snakes in a carry-on bag and jetted off to Moscow.

Russian Customs discovered the contents when the passenger and his bag were checked at Moscow airport.

The man had packed the reptiles before flying from Düsseldorf, the Environmental Protection Agency in Moscow stated. Under questioning, he claimed to have bought the snakes at a market in Germany.

Federal police in Germany told The Local.com that the man had apparently departed Düsseldorf Airport without arousing suspicion at the security check.

A police spokesman said carrying snakes in hand luggage was not illegal provided the snakes were not venomous (and these weren’t) – but passengers do require the necessary documents.

What’s that hissing in your carry-on bag?

When entering Russia with snakes, Russian authorities require additional veterinary certification. Because the passenger failed to produce the correct import paperwork, customs agents removed the reptiles from his bag and placed them in quarantine in Moscow.

Written by Peter Needham