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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — A Los Angeles man was arrested for attempting to smuggle three king cobra snakes into the U.S. in potato chip canisters.

He was charged in connection with a parcel from Hong Kong that was intercepted by Customs and Border Protection agents. The shipment contained three juvenile cobras concealed in separate canisters. The snakes were two to three feet long.

The highly venomous king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah, can grow to 18 feet in length. When confronted, the snakes can raise up to one-third of their bodies off the ground. Typically, when threatened, they flare out their hoods and emit a frightening hiss.

During questioning, the man admitted he had received a total of 20 king cobras in two prior shipments, but all had died in transit.

CARDIFF, WALES — Seven Roman Catholic priests were refused service in a local pub after the bartender mistook them for members of a stag party in costume. In the UK, costumes are commonly worn to stag parties.

The priests arrived at Cardiff’s City Arms on a recent Saturday to celebrate the ordination of Father Peter McLaren. They were turned away and told that the City Arms did not serve “large groups in fancy dress.”

When the priests realized the bartender wasn’t joking, they turned to leave. But another staff member realized they were legitimate, invited them to return, and gave them a free round of drinks.

An assistant manager of the pub said it was the policy of the pub to turn away large parties in costume because such revelers frequently become unruly.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA –A family’s pet cat is being called a hero for foiling an attempted home invasion.

Police said Binky the cat began growling one night around midnight, waking up the household. His owners checked the property, found nothing unusual, and prepared to go back to bed.

Suddenly, a man pounded on a patio door, claiming to be in jeopardy and pleading to be let in. When the suspicious residents refused, the man tried to force his way into the house through a window.

While the owners called 911, Binky, who is declawed, attacked the man, biting him severely on the arms.

The determined intruder tried to gain entry through another window, but Binky attacked again. The man finally gave up and fled. He was captured by arriving police officers.

Paramedics were called to treat the man’s wounds. He faces charges of residential entry and vandalism.

The residents said they were shocked when Binky leapt into action. Usually, they said, he is friendly and playful and good with children.