Overview
- Customs intercepted a Thane-based passenger at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on October 23 after her arrival from Bangkok with wildlife concealed in trolley bags.
- The haul comprised 66 corn snakes, 31 hognose snakes, 4 yellow anacondas, 3 yellow‑footed tortoises, 2 red‑footed tortoises, 3 albino snapping turtles, 26 armadillo lizards, 2 iguanas, 4 water monitor lizards, 11 bearded dragons and 2 raccoons.
- The woman was arrested and booked under the Customs Act, 1962, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Rescue specialists from the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare are stabilizing the animals, and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau will oversee their disposition.
- Investigators are tracing the source, route and intended recipients, with officials noting this is the first seizure of baby anacondas at Mumbai Airport in about five years.