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Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
Snakes on a plane: Border staff seize dozens of hidden venomous serpents
Customs officials in India stopped and arrested an airline passenger travelling from Thailand after they say he was caught smuggling dozens of venomous snakes and other small reptiles into the busy city of Mumbai. The poisonous serpents, which included 44 Indonesian pit vipers, were 'concealed in checked-in baggage,' Mumbai customs agents said in a post on Sunday. 'An Indian national arriving from Thailand was arrested,' the statement added. Officials said the passenger also stashed three spider-tailed horned vipers — venomous snakes that primarily target small prey such as birds — and five Asian leaf turtles. Mumbai customs shared images of the brightly coloured reptiles on X. On 01.06.2025, officers at CSMIA seized 3 Spider-Tailed Horned Vipers & 5 Asian Leaf Turtles (CITES Appendix-II), along with 44 Indonesian Pit Vipers, concealed in checked-in baggage. An Indian national arriving from Thailand was arrested. — Mumbai Customs-III (@mumbaicus3) June 1, 2025 Story continues below advertisement Mumbai customs shares photographs of its seizures regularly. Most appear to be drugs, gold or cash-related interceptions, with some travellers attempting to conceal illegal substances 'inside the body cavities,' according to the border agency, but the illegal smuggling of exotic wildlife is relatively common. In February, agents stopped a smuggler carrying five siamang gibbons, a species of small, endangered apes native to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. According to the post, the animals were 'ingeniously concealed' in plastic boxes and cages, which were placed inside the passenger's trolley bag. On the night of 04-05 Feb'25, customs officers at CSMIA, Mumbai, booked a case of smuggling 5 Siamang Gibbons (Symphalangus syndactylus) under Appendix I of CITES & Schedule IV of the amended Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Action under the Act is being initiated @cbic_india — Mumbai Customs-III (@mumbaicus3) February 5, 2025 In November 2024, agents discovered a package of 12 exotic turtles, which the Wildlife Bureau identified as Japanese pond turtles and scorpion mud turtles, being smuggled by a passenger coming from Bangkok, Thailand. A month before, staff intercepted two passengers coming from Bangkok with two Visayan hornbills, birds typically found in Filipino wetlands, on their person. Story continues below advertisement In September 2024, authorities halted a 'significant case of smuggling of wildlife' when staff recovered five baby caiman crocodiles. On 04.11.2024, the officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai, intercepted 02 pax coming from Bangkok and seized 12 exotic Turtle species. The Wildlife Bureau identified them as Japanese Pond Turtles (08) & Scorpion Mud Turtles (04), (all Listed in Appendix-II of CITES). 02 pax arrested. — Mumbai Customs-III (@mumbaicus3) November 5, 2024 A 2024 report on wildlife trafficking by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime found that the 'global scope and scale of wildlife crime remain substantial.' Seizures from 2015 to 2021 indicate 'an illegal trade in 162 countries and territories affecting around 4,000 plant and animal species,' of which 3,250 are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Story continues below advertisement The most commonly affected species of both plants and animals are rare orchids, succulents, reptiles, fish, birds and mammals, and their trafficking has played a major role in their 'local' or 'global' extinctions, the report says. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Meanwhile, in Canada, species at risk of being targeted include cougars, geese, lynx, moose, crabs, eels, lobsters, narwhals, turtles and wolves, according to Canada's financial intelligence agency. Trafficking also has negative knock-on effects on the environment as well as human longevity, as it can disrupt the balance of ecosystems and impact their ability to help regulate and mitigate climate change, which in turn damages the natural benefits humans derive from their environment. 'Wildlife crime also threatens the socioeconomic benefits people derive from nature, including as a source of income, employment, food, medicine, culture, and more. It further corrodes good governance and the rule of law through corruption, money laundering and illicit financial flows,' the report says. Story continues below advertisement Wildlife crimes are often orchestrated by far-reaching criminal enterprises that are embedded in roles across the global trade chain, including in breeding and storage methods, and are adept at manipulating and exploiting weaknesses and inconsistencies in regulations.
News18
4 days ago
- News18
Mumbai Customs Seizes 52 Exotic Reptiles In Major Wildlife Smuggling Bust
In a major breakthrough against wildlife trafficking, Mumbai Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI) intercepted an Indian passenger who was attempting to smuggle a large number of exotic reptiles into the country. On May 23, 2025, she was sentenced to life, with a minimum of 15 years to be served. (Representative image) The incident took place on May 31 when a passenger arriving from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG317 was flagged during routine checks. Customs officers, acting on specific intelligence and observing unusual behaviour, decided to inspect his baggage more closely. Inside the luggage, they discovered a shocking cache — 52 live reptiles, carefully packed and hidden. Among them were three Spider-Tailed Horned Vipers, a rare desert snake species known for its unique tail that mimics a spider to attract prey. The officers also found five Asian Leaf Turtles, a species native to Southeast Asia and frequently targeted in the exotic pet trade. Additionally, 44 Indonesian Pit Vipers were found, one of which had died during transport. The animals were in a delicate condition. Customs authorities quickly informed wildlife and forest officials to ensure the reptiles were given immediate care. Most of the animals are now under observation and being treated by experts. advetisement
News18
4 days ago
- News18
Customs Officers Arrest A Man At Mumbai Airport For Smuggling Exotic Reptiles
Last Updated: Customs officers, under vide Panchanama dated June 1, 2025, recovered the above-mentioned contraband. The Customs officers arrested a man at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for attempting to smuggle rare reptiles, including 3 Spider-Tailed Horned Vipers, 5 Asian Leaf Turtles, and 44 Indonesian Pit Vipers, a press release said on Sunday. Spider-tailed horned Viper (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides) is listed under Appendix II of CITES and Schedule IV of the newly amended Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Asian Leaf Turtle (Cyclemys dentata) is listed under Appendix II of CITES and Schedule IV of the newly amended Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Indonesian Pit Viper (Trimeresurus insularis) -44 is not listed under CITES. Based on specific information, one Indian national who arrived in Mumbai by Flight No. TG317 on May 31 2025, was intercepted by the Customs Officers at the airport. Upon questioning, the passenger exhibited signs of nervousness. Further examination of the baggage revealed that the passenger was carrying these rare reptiles. Customs officers, under vide Panchanama dated June 1, 2025, recovered the above-mentioned contraband. The said passenger was placed under arrest under the provisions of the Customs Act 1962. Further investigation into the matter is underway.
