Flyer from Bangkok caught with rare reptiles in baggage
MUMBAI: Banned wildlife animals were seized from an international flyer at the city airport on Sunday, and the passenger who had arrived from Bangkok was arrested. Animals of rare species — the Spider Tailed Horned Viper, Asian Leaf Turtle, and Indonesian Pit Viper — have been found, said Customs officials at the…
Publisher: timesofindia
MUMBAI: Banned wildlife animals were seized from an international flyer at the city airport on Sunday, and the passenger who had arrived from Bangkok was arrested. Animals of rare species — the Spider Tailed Horned Viper, Asian Leaf Turtle, and Indonesian Pit Viper — have been found, said Customs officials at the international terminal of the airport.
Sources in the Customs department said that, based on specific information, an Indian travelling from Bangkok to Mumbai was intercepted. When questioned, the man "exhibited signs of nervousness", investigators said, refusing to disclose the arrested person's name.
While checking his baggage, officials found the flyer was carrying three Spider Tailed Horned Vipers listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) and Schedule IV of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. They also found five live Asian Leaf turtles listed under Cites and Wildlife (Protection) Act, and 44 Indonesian pit vipers — 43 alive and one dead).
Source: timesofindia