Snake Smuggling Epidemic at Airports: Indian Customs Seize 16 Live Snakes in Passenger’s Bag!
Did you know that customs officials at Mumbai’s international airport recently seized 16 live snakes in the luggage of a passenger arriving from Thailand? Yes, you read that right – 16 snakes! And this is not an isolated incident. In the past month alone, this is the third major wildlife smuggling bust at the same airport.
What’s Happening in Mumbai?
The passenger was caught with 16 snakes of various species, most of which were non-venomous but all wild and protected. Among them were California kingsnakes, albino rat snakes, Kenyan sand snakes, and others. The customs officials immediately arrested the passenger, and an investigation is underway.
But that’s not all! Earlier in June, another passenger tried to smuggle 44 Indonesian pit vipers, three venomous snakes with spider-like tails, and five Asian leaf turtles. Just days later, a third passenger was stopped carrying lizards, sunbirds, and opossums – many of which are protected species.
It’s Not Just India Facing This Problem
This kind of wildlife smuggling is not limited to India. In March, a man in Pennsylvania tried to smuggle a red-eared slider turtle hidden in his pants at Newark Airport. TSA officers discovered the turtle after a security scanner detected a suspicious object in the groin area.
In November last year, security officials at Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima, Peru, stopped a 28-year-old South Korean national whose abdomen appeared unusually swollen. Underneath, they found belts with camouflaged bags containing tarantulas, centipedes, and bullet ants – all live and protected species. This is just the tip of the iceberg of wildlife smuggling worldwide.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
Wildlife smuggling is not just illegal; it’s a serious threat to biodiversity, human and animal health, and can lead to the spread of diseases. Smuggled live animals often suffer from stress, poor conditions, and can carry dangerous pathogens.
What Are Customs Doing?
Customs officials in Mumbai and worldwide are ramping up inspections and seizures. Hundreds of protected animals have been confiscated in Mumbai in the last month alone, and numerous smugglers arrested. However, the problem is massive and requires global cooperation and stricter measures.
Conclusion
Wildlife smuggling is a serious issue that cannot be ignored. Any traveler thinking they can smuggle snakes, turtles, or tarantulas should know customs are watching. What do you think about these bizarre smuggling attempts? Is this just the tip of the iceberg, or will things change? Drop a comment, maybe together we can figure this out!
Sources: Index.hr, CBS News, TSA, Peruvian State Forestry and Wildlife Agency
