9 hours ago
Attempt to smuggle wildlife from Thailand foiled at Bengaluru airport, one held
Custom officials at the Kempegowda International Airport have foiled an attempt to smuggle 54 green iguanas, one common spotted cuscus, and two greenfinch birds packed in the check-in luggage on a flight from Bangkok to Bengaluru.
The sleuths on Thursday arrested the accused passenger, identified as Ahmed Jasim, a native of Tamil Nadu, as soon as he landed and tried to get the bag cleared.
The seized wildlife have been quarantined and sent back to Thailand on Friday, the officials said. The accused was booked under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, they added. He has been remanded in judicial custody.
Ahmed had concealed the wildlife in carton boxes packed along with chocolates and biscuits, and other snacks, officials said.
The sleuths said that the accused is a mule and was directed to hand over the check-in luggage to people waiting outside after getting confirmation of the code word.
