Mumbai Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) seized endangered wildlife and narcotic substances in two separate operations conducted between October 29 and 30. 

In the first case, acting on specific intelligence, officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok on flight AI2338. A search of the passenger’s baggage led to the recovery of two Silvery Gibbons (Hylobates moloch), one alive and one deceased, concealed in a basket hidden inside a trolley bag.

The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, read with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The Silvery Gibbon, an endangered species native to Indonesia’s Java island, is listed as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List with fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Customs officials said the gibbons, aged about two and four months, were likely victims of illegal wildlife trafficking. One of the infants did not survive the ordeal of air travel due to the cramped and inhumane conditions of concealment. Authorities emphasised the urgent need to raise awareness about the cruelty and ecological impact of smuggling exotic wildlife for the pet trade.

In a separate incident, a passenger arriving from Bangkok on flight 6E1060 was handed over by the Bureau of Immigration to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Customs. A detailed examination of the passenger’s baggage revealed 7.97 kilograms of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana), valued at approximately Rs 7.97 crore in the illicit market. The narcotics were concealed inside a trolley bag, and the passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Mumbai Customs Zone-III officials said both cases highlight their continued vigilance and commitment to curbing illegal wildlife trafficking and narcotics smuggling through the city’s international airport.

Mumbai customs dept seizes hydroponic weed, electronic goods worth Rs 12.97 cr in 4 days; 9 passengers held

The Customs Department seized hydroponic weed worth Rs 12.4 crore at the Mumbai international airport from three separate groups of passengers arriving from Bangkok over a period of four days, and arrested six of them, officials said on Wednesday.

The operation was conducted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) between Saturday to Tuesday, during which it also seized electronic items worth more than Rs 56 lakh and arrested three other passengers from Sharjah, they said.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, officers of Mumbai Customs Zone III intercepted three separate groups of passengers from Bangkok. Searches of their baggage led to the recovery of a total of 12.418 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana), valued at about Rs 12.418 crore, an official said.

The narcotics were concealed inside the trolley bags carried by the passengers. A total of six passengers were arrested in three separate cases under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, he said.

Source