Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Chance's post on going to Belize, and Wolfgang's reply on the availability of antivenin at pharmacies in Belize sparked a hyptothetical question in my reptilian mind (okay, that doesn't make me sound to smart, )...

Suppose one were to purchase antivenin in a foreign country and try to "smuggle" it back here...what do you think the potential legal ramifications would be? I say this, because myself, being east Indian by decent, and having visited India on many occasions, have considered the next time I go there, whenever that happens to be, picking up some vials...lets face it guys, it's not coke or heroin, and it's for saftey, it would be ridiculous for the government to prosecute such an activity like they would drug smuggling or similar acts. But the fact remains that legally, you do have to apply for permits and such just to obtain the serum, so they probably wouldn't just let you carry it in your luggage and bypass the permit system...would any of you risk this? By the way, India would be an EXCELLENT place to go herping in my opinion, Naja, Daboia, Ophiophagus ( more common than you think there), Echis, the list is endlesssssss.... Just let me know what you guys think. Remember, this is purely HYPOTHETICAL.

No serum...just a few things I've always wanted. The top of the list is a salwar/kameez/chuni set in my size.

I wish I could help you on this question. But, I do have one thought...With the increased security lately, I don't think it's worth trying right now. Otherwise I doubt they'd look much different than a couple of bottles of toiletries in a suitcase.

Sybella,

Ha, maybe next time i go there i'll drop you a line, I've been there quite a few times, have some relatives there (grandparents and some cousins), but i've never actually gone herping there...seen plenty of snake charmers ( my brother had a cobra wrapped around his neck)and whatnot there though, very interesting...contrary to popular belief, most of the cobras used are NOT altered to inhibit their venom delivery, and are fully capable of delivering a lethal bite. I have some video i shot of about 4 charmers sitting together with about 20 baskets in front of them, each with a cobra inside. They open the baskets, tap the snake on the head, and it flies out, hoods, strikes, etc, but they don't even flinch...all in a days work i guess. It's quite impressive to watch. The snakes were apparently healthy, well fed, and very active, not lethargic at all. The most commonly used snake is Naja naja, but I've heard (but not seen) of O. hannah being used as well. Snakes are worshipped in India, but also feared (due to the high amount of envenomations, mostly field workers)...but even though they are feared, they are rarely killed, unless they bite someone. Next time i go, i plan on spending some quality time herping, although India is disgustingly overpopulated, there are still many areas of woodland and forests that are relatively untouched. I have seen quite a few snake charmers, and they NEVER use any kind of tools to work with the snakes (besides their instrument), and show no hesitation in waving their hands and other appendages (that sounds wrong) in front of the snakes, well within strike range. Suprisingly, few are bitten...

:

AV can be brought back with you in reasonable quantities as personal medication with very little difficulty. A friend of mine did not have any difficulty bring back 10 vials from Australia for me as "personal use medicine". I have also had relatives bring antivenom in from China in their luggage under the same declared category, as personal use medication.

The trick is getting a doctor to write a script for the antivenom when you are in the foreign country. This generally requires either an office visit or a friendly and sympathetic physician.

>>AV can be brought back with you in reasonable quantities as personal medication with very little difficulty. A friend of mine did not have any difficulty bring back 10 vials from Australia for me as "personal use medicine". I have also had relatives bring antivenom in from China in their luggage under the same declared category, as personal use medication.
>>
>>The trick is getting a doctor to write a script for the antivenom when you are in the foreign country.

Actually, you can buy just about anything over the counter in many tropical countries, including a/v (have done it in Sri Lanka, and I believe it is possible in many C. American countries). Unlike in our litigation-paranoid nanny state, most tropical countries are happy for (i) people with the intelligence to figure out what is wrong to treat themselves without going through the hassle of waiting days for a doctors appointment to be told the obvious, and (ii) for people without that intelligence to poison themselves.

Wish we had that freedom...

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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WW Home

Tanith and Wolfy (you don't mind if I call you that, do you ),

Thanks for your replies, very informative...next time i end up on that side of the world, i'll definatly look into getting some...i have no less than 3 or 4 uncles there that are surgeons and have numerous ties in the medical community (my late grandfather, who was a general surgeon and professor of surgery, was considered very well respected among the medical community in the ENTIRE country), so getting a little prescription shouldn't be to much of a hastle, just drop a few names, ya know ? I use way to much. Haha...anyway, i'll post here next time I or a family member ventures that way, and maybe i can "fill an order" for anyone interested, haha

By the way, my name is Abhishek Prasad, thought i'd mention that considering I know your names, and it's kinda weird when someone knows who you are but you don't know who they are, but you guys are pillars in the hot community, celebrities so to speak I have a horrible habit of not signing my name when i post, so for future reference, that's me...

You'll want to be careful w/ keeping it cool, and careful not to crack the glass. I'm going there next year, and will bring my personal supply. For me it's easy b/c I have USDA and FDA permits, so the paperwork will suffice on its own. This way I can move it safely w/out temp. swings, and the glass cracking in my suitcase. If they do bust ya, tell um it's your personal stock, and that you brought it w/ ya from the states to do some Old World research! Or, get the permits and have no worries w/ gettin busted. Beastly blessings, TF

Yeah, i'll probably be applying for some permits sometime here in the future, and I'm not keeping any Naja (or any medically signifigant sp.) at the time, but i suspect by the time I do finally go back there, i will be keeping them. Most of my experience with hots is with native sp. (rattlers mostly), but I'm looking to get more exotic, Will be getting a 0.1 Boiga dendrophila on Tuesday, and it will serve as my non-lethal introduction to more agile,larger, aggressive(defensive) species...