DEEP: New Haven men facing charges after 49 reptiles were seized from a Hamden warehouse
EnCon police seized 49 reptiles, including 46 venomous snakes, two anacondas and one water monitor lizard. Officials say the 46 snakes recovered include multiple species of rattlesnakes, a cape cobra and two mangrove pit vipers.
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Two New Haven men are facing charges after an investigation by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation Police led to the seizure of 49 reptiles from a Hamden warehouse.
On June 24, the EnCon Police Investigation Unit, along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Special Investigations, executed a search and seizure warrant at warehouse at 925 Sherman Ave.
EnCon police seized 49 reptiles, including 46 venomous snakes, two anacondas and one water monitor lizard.
Officials say the 46 snakes recovered include multiple species of rattlesnakes, a cape cobra and two mangrove pit vipers.
DEEP says the reptiles are considered dangerous and people are prohibited from having them unless they have the proper permits.
Officials say the reptiles were safely secured and removed by an accredited herpetologist. The illegal snakes are being stored at a licensed facility and went through health screenings.
Following the search, arrest warrants were obtained for Tyler Foster and Brian Roman, who owns the warehouse.
The pair turned themselves into state police Thursday.
Both men have been charged with 49 counts of illegal possession of a wild animal without a permit and 13 counts of taking of endangered or threatened species.
They have also been released on bond.
