Mumbai, India – Customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport intercepted an Indian national attempting to smuggle a collection of venomous snakes and exotic animals from Thailand, officials reported Sunday.
Upon inspection of the passenger’s checked-in luggage, authorities discovered 44 Indonesian pit vipers, 3 Spider-tailed horned vipers, and 5 Asian leaf turtles. Photographs released by Mumbai Customs showed the reptiles stored inside plastic containers and buckets.
“Usually, seizures at the airport involve gold, foreign currency, or narcotics,” a senior customs officer said. “But in recent months, we’ve seen an alarming rise in the smuggling of exotic and potentially dangerous wildlife.”
This incident follows several similar cases in the past year. In February 2025, officials intercepted five Siamang gibbons smuggled in crates. In November 2024, 12 exotic turtles were recovered, and in September 2024, two passengers were caught with five baby caimans, a species of small alligator.
Authorities say smuggling of such species poses a serious threat to biodiversity and public safety, and they are intensifying efforts to monitor and stop the illegal wildlife trade at international entry points.
The passenger involved in the latest case is now in custody, and further investigation is underway.
