Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, Mumbai, arrested a passenger for allegedly attempting to smuggle live exotic animals into the country.

Acting on intelligence inputs, officers from Mumbai Customs Zone-III intercepted the passenger, identified as Sharukkhan Mohammed Hassian (passport no. R6275443), who had arrived from Bangkok on IndiGo flight 6E1052. A search of his dark grey trolley bag led to the recovery of two Kinkajous (Potos flavus), listed in Appendix III of CITES (for Honduras) and Schedule IV of the amended Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; two Pygmy Marmosets (Cebuella sp.), listed in Appendix II of CITES and Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; and fifty Albino Red-Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta), which are not listed under CITES or the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

Officials said the animals were found concealed inside the passenger’s luggage. The accused was arrested under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, read with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The seized wildlife was handed over to the competent authorities for further action, while investigations are underway to determine the source and intended destination of the smuggled animals.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued new guidelines for the deportation of animals brought into India illegally, a move welcomed by wildlife experts and anti-exotic pet trade campaigners. The aim is to ensure safe, legally compliant deportation of such animals by all aircraft operators and airlines. In July, the DGCA issued a circular outlining the procedure for deporting live animals detected as unbeknownst imports, cases where passengers bring in live animals without proper declaration or clearance.

Under existing Animal Quarantine & Certification Services (AQCS) and Indian Customs rules, these animals must be sent back immediately to their country of origin, with intimation to all relevant authorities there. The transport of animals and birds by air is already governed under Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) 9 of 1985. The new circular builds on this, ensuring compliance with updated instructions from Indian Customs, AQCS and other agencies. It applies to all airlines operating in India.

The circular makes it clear: once an undeclared live animal is detected, the airline that carried it into India will be solely responsible for immediate deportation in line with all legal requirements. The airline must bear all costs, including animal handling, in-transit welfare, documentation and repatriation logistics.

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