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New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Exotic wildlife smuggling linked to pet shops again in Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: In yet another clear indication of the involvement of pet shops in the trafficking of exotic wildlife from Thailand and Malaysia to India, the Bengaluru Airport Customs last week arrested the owner of a popular pet shop in the city who had arrived there allegedly to receive a Coimbatore-based man who had smuggled some venomous snakes, a cuscus and possum from Thailand. On May 12, Bengaluru Customs intercepted Jagadeesh Raman (43), a native of Sulur in Coimbatore, after he arrived from Bangkok on the TG-325 Thai Airways flight. His bag was found to contain nine Wagler's pit vipers, a venomous snake found in south-east Asia, a common cuscus and a possum. Customs officials also arrested Yogesh P (36) who allegedly came to collect the trafficked animals. According to official sources, Yogesh P and his brother Sunil P run Sun's Aqua pet store in JP Nagar in Bengaluru. The store's social media profiles advertise the sale of multiple exotic animals and birds, and it has also been featured on multiple YouTube vlogs as well. TNIE had earlier reported the link between S Ravikumar, a former Tamil Nadu police constable who was identified as the lynchpin of an international wildlife trafficking gang, and Syed Liyaqath Ulla, a Bengaluru-based man who also runs a pet shop, the Karnataka Aquarium. Ulla was arrested allegedly for smuggling exotic species in Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh in November and features in multiple investigations of the Chennai Customs and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) pertaining to exotic species smuggling.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
KIA wildlife smuggling exposes security failures
Customs KIA Thai Airways Inspector General of Police Malaysian Airways Our hands are tied—we can only intercept suspects, but legal proceedings require police intervention, which is often delayed or ignored –Customs Official Wildlife Task Force Interpol A disturbing wildlife smuggling attempt involving nine venomous Wagler's pit vipers, a common spotted cuscus, and a live opossum smuggled into Bengaluru has raised alarm among wildlife activists. Despite proactive action byand the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered by the Kempegowda International Airport () Police Station, sparking outrage over institutional apathy and systemic enforcement smuggling attempt was thwarted in the early hours of May 12 when Customs officials at KIA intercepted Jagadeesh Raman (35), a passenger on aflight from Bangkok. The animals were confiscated, quarantined, and repatriated to Thailand after veterinary protocols were completed. However, Raman and his alleged accomplice, Yogesh, were released on bail due to jurisdictional limitations faced by May 17, Bengaluru-based social activist Mansoor Chetlu filed a formal complaint with the Director General and, Karnataka, urging registration of an FIR under the Wildlife Protection Act. The complaint names the accused individuals, Thai Airways,, a private zoo in Gujarat allegedly tied to the trafficking ring, and complicit officials. It also flags serious lapses in airport security and regulatory activist's petition highlights violations of international aviation and wildlife protection regulations, including the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), and ICAO Annex 18. These standards, if properly enforced, should have flagged the illegal transport of live, venomous animals—posing serious risks to passengers, aviation staff, and national argue that while Customs is responsible for initial interception, it lacks the authority to initiate legal proceedings. That responsibility lies with the Airport Police, who, in this case—as in many past ones—have failed to act. This pattern of poor coordination and lack of accountability has allowed transnational wildlife trafficking to flourish wildlife seizures at KIA have failed to lead to meaningful action. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, authorities seized 17 king cobras, 10 anacondas, and over 230 other reptiles. Despite this, not a single FIR has been filed or trafficking networks dismantled. A senior BIAL official even formally alerted Bangkok Airport in January 2025, but enforcement gaps persist.'Smuggling venomous wildlife on commercial flights puts countless lives at risk,' said a source. 'Under the Wildlife Protection Act, offenders face up to 10 years in prison. The lack of action is inexcusable.'The complaint urges urgent registration of an FIR, re-arrest of the accused, and the formation of a dedicatedat KIA, alongside stronger coordination with agencies liketo curb cross-border trafficking.
