Rare Wildlife Smuggling Foiled at Mumbai Airport, Indian National Arrested with 52 Exotic Species

JAGRAN DESK

In a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking, customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport intercepted an Indian national attempting to smuggle rare and protected species into the country.

The accused, who arrived from Thailand on May 31, was found carrying a total of 52 exotic creatures, both alive and dead, in violation of Indian and international wildlife protection laws.

According to customs authorities, the passenger arrived on Thai Airways flight TG317 and had been under surveillance due to suspicious behavior. Upon his arrival, officials conducted a detailed inspection of his baggage, which led to a shocking discovery—multiple species protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and India's Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Species Seized

The following were recovered from the passenger’s possession:

Spider-Tailed Horned Vipers (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides) – 3 live snakes, listed under CITES Appendix II and Schedule IV of India’s Wildlife Protection Act.
Asian Leaf Turtles (Cyclemys dentata) – 5 live turtles, also listed under both the above-mentioned categories.
Indonesian Pit Vipers (Trimeresurus insularis) – 44 snakes, of which 43 were alive and 1 deceased. Although not currently listed under CITES, the international trade of this species is considered highly concerning.

Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation

The Customs Department has registered a case under relevant sections of the Customs Act, 1962, and believes the smuggling attempt may be linked to a larger international trafficking network. Further investigation is ongoing.

Suspect Under Intensive Interrogation

Authorities are questioning the suspect to uncover the origin of the seized species and their intended use or buyer in India. Sources suggest that more individuals may be involved in the racket, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend them.

Growing Concern Over Wildlife Trafficking

This incident highlights the growing threat of wildlife trafficking in India. Authorities are urging for strict enforcement and increased vigilance to prevent such attempts and to protect endangered species from exploitation.