Snakes-on-a-plane pair held at airport

(GETTY)

Airport authorities say they have detained two men who attempted to smuggle 40 pythons on board a flight to Dubai.

Salahudin Rafi, a Jakarta airport official, said that the two Kuwaitis were about to enter the departure area on Friday when X-rays showed their bags were filled with sedated snakes.

The men told investigators that they planned to sell the pythons to collectors in the United Arab Emirates. Mr Rafi said the men were still being questioned yesterday. They face up to seven years in jail and a fine of $32,000 (£20,000).