Federal agents turn up dozens of venomous snakes in South Valley drug raid (ABQ NM, suspect had most venomous land snakes on earth)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | July 28, 2026 | Matthew Reisen

[CedarDave]

Federal agents came across a lot more than cocaine, guns and cash when they searched the home of a suspected drug trafficker in the South Valley last week.

Agents also discovered more than 50 venomous snakes, including pit vipers, cobras and the inland taipan — the most venomous snake in the world — according to search warrants unsealed Monday in U.S. District Court for New Mexico.

According to a NM Department of Wildlife seizure inventory, the snakes included king and spitting cobras, Fer-de-lance, black and green mambas, numerous varieties of pit vipers and reticulated pythons. Many of the snakes, some of which were hatchlings, were in enclosures while others were in large trash cans and plastic tubs.

Bob Myers, owner of the Rattlesnake Museum in Old Town, said 9 out of 10 of the snakes on the list are “easily lethal to human beings.”

The Journal reached to Myers as a snake expert. He had nothing to do with the case or snake seizure.

Myers said the inland taipan tops the list as “the most potently venomous land snake in the world.” He said the seized Russell’s viper is a “big culprit” in the 10,000 to 50,000 snake bite deaths recorded in India every year.

“I don't know who this person is, but that is a very serious collection of venomous snakes and nonvenomous — the reticulated pythons get big. They're powerful. They can overcome a human and kill them. So, gosh, that is some list,” Myers said.

Aside from the snakes, court records show Homeland Security Investigations agents found a half-pound of cocaine, three guns and $22,000 in cash. There was no mention of snakes in the documents supporting the search warrant and it is unclear if the agents knew what they were walking into.

[marktwain]

The snakes make the story. Three guns and $22,000 is not all that much anymore. Only about three months wages for many Americans. Three guns? barely getting started.

Yes, the cocaine is a bit much. I wonder if he has any priors.

Maybe he as dealing cocaine to support his snake habit...

[Salvavida]

I’m in the land of Fer de Lance. They will take you out of this world. Worst pit viper on earth.

[dljordan]

Raccoons, Coyotes, Bobcats and Alligators have all learned to hunt them. The Coons wait till they leave the nests and then bum rush the eggs. :)

[Jamestown1630]

I never knew before that they actually incubate their eggs...