Law enforcement seized thousands of dollars worth of products containing exotic snakeskin from a San Luis Obispo store that opened earlier this year.

On July 5, San Luis Obispo Police Department detectives served a search warrant at the 716 Higuera St. storefront of Salinas Charreria Western Wear, according to a news release from the police.

During the warrant service, detectives found boots made from python snakeskin, which is prohibited from sale in California, and confiscated 85 pairs of boots valued between $400 and $600 each, according to the release. That places the total value of the illegal merchandise between $34,000 and $51,000.

San Luis Obispo Police Department detectives seized 85 pairs of boots from Salinas Charreria Western Wear made from python snakeskin, which is prohibited from sale in California, on July 5, 2026. Credit: San Luis Obispo Police Department photo

The boots were turned over to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is continuing the investigation at Salinas Charreria Western Wear and another location in Santa Barbara County, according to police.

Owner Christian Salinas opened his Higuera Street store in January after several successful years operating a similar business in Santa Maria. The store offers high-end Western wear and specialized services including hat shaping.

This case is still under investigation, and anyone with information related to illegal animal products being sold in the city of San Luis Obispo can contact Det. Koznek at jkoznek@slopd.org or 805.594.8005.