BOSTON -- A New Hampshire man who smuggled rare lizards from the Philippines to the United States by hiding them in socks and placing them inside electronic equipment has pleaded guilty.

Federal prosecutors said 26-year-old Derrick Semedo pleaded guilty in Boston on Tuesday to trafficking in protected wildlife in violation of US and Philippines law and international wildlife treaties.

Authorities said from March to December 2016, the Nashua, New Hampshire, the man imported 20 live water monitor lizards by placing them in socks, sealing the socks with tape, then concealing them in the back panels of audio speakers or other electronic equipment. The equipment was shipped via commercial carriers to Semedo.

Some lizards were then sold to customers in other states.

He faces up to five years in prison at sentencing scheduled for August 13. (AP)