A major wildlife smuggling attempt was foiled at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport when customs officials apprehended an Indian passenger arriving from Thailand carrying dozens of venomous snakes and turtles hidden in his checked baggage. The haul included 44 Indonesian pit vipers, three spider-tailed horned vipers—venomous snakes known for preying on birds, and five Asian leaf turtles. The identity of the passenger has not been disclosed.
Photos released by Mumbai Customs showed the vividly colored snakes writhing inside a plastic bucket, underscoring the unusual nature of this seizure, as reptiles are far less commonly intercepted than typical contraband such as gold or narcotics. The wildlife was discovered after customs officers, acting on a tip-off, conducted a thorough inspection of the luggage based on the passenger’s suspicious behavior. All the seized animals have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for care, while the passenger remains in custody as legal action proceeds.
This incident is part of a growing trend of wildlife trafficking cases at Mumbai airport involving endangered species smuggled from Southeast Asia, including Siamang gibbons, hornbill birds, and juvenile caimans. These recurring cases surely show India’s increasing role as both a destination and transit point for illegal wildlife trade. The reptiles are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and officials have ordered their return to their country of origin.