Mumbai Customs Zone-III has arrested an Indian national who attempted to smuggle exotic wildlife species into India via Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The passenger arrived on 27 June 2025 aboard Flight No. 6E1052 from Bangkok and was intercepted during spot profiling by Customs officers.
Upon questioning, the passenger exhibited signs of nervousness, prompting a detailed examination of baggage. Officers recovered a concealed cache of exotic animals that included two garter snakes (Thamnophis spp.), five rhinoceros rat snakes (Gonyosoma boulengeri), one albino rat snake (Pantherophis guttatus), two Kenyan sand boas (Gongylophis colubrinus), one coastal banded California king snake (Lampropeltis californiae), and five albino Honduran milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis).
The seizure was documented through a formal Panchanama dated 28 June 2025. The passenger was immediately taken into custody under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Authorities confirmed that further investigation is underway to identify potential links to international smuggling networks.
This operation underscores the vigilance of Mumbai Customs in curbing wildlife trafficking and reinforces India’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulations.
