The bust happened on the Turkey-Bulgaria border on Tuesday

Pythons were found wrapped in women’s stockings as part of a smuggling operation on the border between Turkey and Bulgaria.

Customs officials at the Kapikule border crossing, the most established spot for trade between the EU and Turkey, Syria and Iran, seized 28 snakes on Tuesday.

Following a tip-off, authorities searched a truck belonging to a suspect identified only as I.K, the Daily Sabah reported.

The reptiles were found in the trailer section of the truck, concealed inside a cloth bag, and wrapped in stockings.

Police officers in Kapitan Andreevo Check Point, on the borders of Bulgaria with Turkey (Picture: EPA)

Out of the 28 pythons discovered, one was already dead. Both the driver, I.K., and a passenger, F.Ç., were taken into custody.

Bulgarian media reported that the truck had arrived from Germany.

The snakes were subsequently taken under veterinary supervision and handed over to the Edirne Nature Conservation and National Parks Branch Office.