Man smuggling 95 exotic animals, birds from Bangkok held at Mumbai airport

Indian Express

4 hours ago

Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport arrested an Indian national attempting to smuggle exotic birds and other animals into the country on Monday.
Customs officials seized 95 exotic animals and birds from the accused, of which 32 were found to be dead. Officials said some of the seized animals and birds are protected species that were being smuggled into the country due to their high demand.
On the basis of profiling, one Indian national, who landed at the airport from Bangkok on Monday, was intercepted by officers of Mumbai Customs Zone-III. Upon questioning, the passenger exhibited signs of nervousness prompting the customs officials to examine his baggage.
Upon examination, it was found that the passenger was carrying a tarantula, 80 iguanas— 50 live and 30 dead, honey bear and two Brazilian Cherry Head Tortoise. All these animals and birds are either listed in Appendix – II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and Schedule IV of the newly amended Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Besides these, one dead fire‑tailed sunbird was also seized.
Customs officials also recovered one chaco golden-knee tarantula, six Leucistic Sugar Glider, one dead purple throated sunbird and two crested finchbill.
'The animals were seized and the passenger was placed under arrest under the provisions of the Customs Act 1962,' said a customs officer.
The investigators are trying to find out more details of their handlers or groups who roped the man for the smuggling work, said a source.
Officers are also checking if the accused indulged in smuggling activities in the past.