Mumbai Customs Foils Wildlife Smuggling Bid, Seizes 16 Exotic Snakes From Bangkok Passenger At CSMI Airport
Mumbai Customs Foils Wildlife Smuggling Bid, Seizes 16 Exotic Snakes From Bangkok Passenger At CSMI Airport
Mumbai Customs Zone-III intercepted a major wildlife smuggling attempt at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport by arresting an Indian passenger who arrived from Bangkok on June 27 via IndiGo Flight No. 6E1052.
Acting on profiling cues and observing suspicious behavior, Customs officials stopped the individual for a detailed examination. Upon checking the passenger’s baggage, officers were stunned to find a collection of exotic snakes, all illegally transported into the country.
The seized wildlife species include:
- 2 Garter Snakes (Thamnophis spp.)
- 5 Rhinoceros Rat Snakes (Gonyosoma boulengeri)
- 1 Albino Rat Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)
- 2 Kenyan Sand Boas (Gongylophis colubrinus)
- 1 Coastal Banded California King Snake (Lampropeltis californiae)
- 5 Albino Honduran Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis)
In total, 16 exotic snakes were recovered, all concealed inside the passenger’s luggage. These species are not only protected under international conventions but also pose ecological risks if introduced into the local environment.
The seizure was formalized under a Panchanama dated June 28, 2025, and the passenger was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962. Authorities have initiated further investigations to uncover the source and intended recipients of the smuggled reptiles.
Officials emphasized that smuggling of exotic species is a serious offense, threatening both biodiversity and national security. The Customs Department remains vigilant against such illegal trafficking attempts.
