In Mumbai, officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) nabbed a person suspected of smuggling wildlife at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The individual had just arrived from Bangkok, and it’s revealed that a significant amount of smuggled wildlife comes from Thailand, often ending up as pets or livestock in wealthy households or even as trophies. The arrested person is thought to be a courier, and authorities are now tracking down the intended recipient and the masterminds behind this illegal operation.
Upon careful inspection of the suspect’s checked-in bags, DRI officers found nine ball pythons and two corn snakes cleverly hidden in biscuit and cake packets. Taking action under the Customs Act 1962, the officials confiscated the reptiles. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) in Navi Mumbai confirmed the identity of these seized non-native reptiles, emphasizing that their import violated international regulations like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
In response, the WCCB issued an order for the detention and deportation of the reptiles back to Bangkok to ensure their well-being. Ongoing investigations aim to uncover the individuals and groups responsible for this illegal export, shedding light on the darker aspects of the wildlife trade industry, as stated in an official DRI statement.
