Passenger from Bangkok held at Mumbai airport with exotic snakes, turtles

Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai, arrested a man on Sunday after seizing exotic reptiles, including species protected under wildlife laws, from him.

Acting on specific intelligence, officials intercepted the passenger, who had arrived on Thai Airways Flight TG317 from Bangkok on Saturday, May 31. During questioning, the accused reportedly showed signs of nervousness, prompting officers to examine his baggage more thoroughly.

A detailed search led to the discovery of three spider-tailed horned vipers (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides), five Asian leaf turtles (Cyclemys dentata), and 44 Indonesian pit vipers (Trimeresurus insularis), of which one was found dead.

The spider-tailed horned vipers and the Asian leaf turtle are listed under Appendix-II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and schedule IV of the newly amended Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Indonesian pit viper is not listed under CITES, the customs informed.

A panchanama was conducted and the passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Further investigation is under way.

In a similar seizure last week, the Mumbai Customs had seized 28 live orange bearded dragons, two dead ones, and six white iguanas at the Mumbai international airport, exposing yet another instance of wildlife trafficking.

According to sources from the forest department, a passenger arriving from Bangkok on an IndiGo flight was found carrying the reptiles hidden inside socks in his luggage. Officials grew suspicious after detecting unusual movement during baggage scanning.

A wildlife rescue team from RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare) was called to assist with the identification, safe handling, and temporary care of the animals. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has initiated the process of deporting the live reptiles to the country from which they were trafficked, in accordance with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

RAWW President Pawan Sharma said, “As per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and CITES, such species must either be returned to their native habitat or to the country from which they were brought. In this case, deportation orders have been issued. However, the airline involved does not have DGCA approval to transport live animals, so alternative arrangements are being explored.”

This article first appeared on Mid Day