14 hours ago
16 live snakes seized from Bangkok flyer at Mumbai airport
A passenger who arrived from Bangkok was arrested at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on June 27 after Customs officials found 16 live snakes concealed in his baggage, news agency PTI reported, citing seizure occurred following a spot check by officers from Mumbai Customs Indian national, who had travelled on Flight 6E1052, was intercepted upon arrival. Officials said the passenger showed signs of nervousness during questioning, which prompted further inspection of his
The search led to the recovery of multiple species of live snakes kept inside cotton bags. These included:Two Kenyan Sand Boas (Gongylophis colubrinus)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
Five Rhinoceros Rat Snakes (Gonyosoma boulengeri)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
One Albino Rat Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
advertisementTwo Garter Snakes (Thamnophis spp.)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
One Coastal Banded California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
Five Albino Honduran Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
All the animals were seized as per procedures outlined under the Wildlife Protection Act, and a 'panchanama' was drawn on June 28. The passenger was arrested under provisions of the Customs Act, to PTI, officials confirmed that the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is coordinating with Customs authorities to initiate repatriation of the seized reptiles to their country of origin, in compliance with applicable wildlife from the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) assisted Customs in handling and identifying the investigation is underway.(With inputs from Mustafa Sheikh and PTI)- EndsMust Watch
