One week after a snake believed to be poisonous was discovered inside a container at Kingston Wharves Limited, the reptile has still not been removed and the container remains unstripped, racking up hundreds of dollars in charges for the importer.

A credible source at the wharf, who requested anonymity because he is not authorised to give statements to the press, told the Observer that the snake, estimated to be between six and eight feet long and with a head the size of a clenched fist, hissed at his colleague who went in to strip the container. The container had come into the harbour on a vessel from Miami, Florida on Friday, December 19.

"The guy went in there on Monday and heard some movement and the snake made after him and he ran out and shut the door," he said.

"We reported it to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and they came on Wednesday," said the source. "When they came they said they were not prepared to capture the snake; they thought it was contained and only needed removal. They then said they referred the matter to the Veterinary Services division, but the work week ended (Friday), and nobody has come from Veterinary Services."

Natalie Fearon, NEPA's public education and corporate communication manager, confirmed that the agency was contacted and that they had visited the wharf. "We did respond and the matter is being handled," she said. "Veterinary Services has been contacted. Two officers have been assigned and are dealing with the matter on location."

Up to Saturday evening, however, our source said the container was still locked.

"The container is still on the wharf and this man is suffering because for each day the container goes unstripped it costs him [more than] US$100."

The Observer was unable to get in touch with the importer up to yesterday evening but officers at the wharf reported that among the things packed inside the container were auto parts, a weed wacker and food items.

It was not immediately clear to what species the snake belonged. Fearon told the Observer that based on the area from which the animal had come, it was not a protected variety.

"In this particular case, the container came in from Florida, so we know it is not a protected species," she said. "So what we have to do is decide on how to manage the fumigation of the animal. So basically [our action] is to fumigate and remove the animal."

She was, however, not sure why they were opting to fumigate as against capturing the snake. Fearon said she would have to read the report that was being prepared on the matter for her. She made it clear, though, that it had nothing to do with a lack of equipment.

"It has nothing to do with equipment, staff or expertise. It is about the agency that takes the lead and in this case it is Veterinary Services," she said.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website, there are 44 snake species in Florida, six of which are venomous.