Snakes on a plane: Man held with 10 anacondas at Bengaluru international airport, had arrived from Bangkok
PTC Web Desk: A passenger was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru for allegedly trying to smuggle 10 yellow anacondas, concealed within his checked baggage. The accused, arriving from Bangkok, was intercepted by customs officials, who subsequently arrested him. The Bengaluru Customs department, in a post on social media platform X, confirmed the arrest, stating that investigations were ongoing and stressing a zero-tolerance policy towards wildlife trafficking.
#Indiancustomsatwork Bengaluru Air #Customs intercepted attempt to smuggle 10 yellow Anacondas concealed in checked-in bag of a pax arriving from Bangkok. Pax arrested and investigation is underway. Wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated. #CITES #WildlifeProtection ????✈️ pic.twitter.com/2634Bxk1Hw
— Bengaluru Customs (@blrcustoms) April 22, 2024
Yellow anacondas, a riverine species typically found near water bodies, inhabit regions, including Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and northern Uruguay. The attempted smuggling of these reptiles highlights concerns over illicit wildlife trade, particularly within airport settings.
This incident follows a previous case where the customs authorities at the Bengaluru airport rescued 234 wild animals, among them a baby kangaroo, purportedly smuggled by a passenger from Bangkok. Tragically, the young kangaroo was found dead due to suffocation within a plastic box.
The earlier interception involved a tip-off leading to the discovery of various species, including pythons, chameleons, iguanas, turtles, and alligators, concealed within the passenger's luggage. Notably, some of these animals were listed in the appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), underlining the significance of combating illegal trafficking of endangered wildlife.
These incidents underscore the critical role of customs and law enforcement agencies in detecting and preventing wildlife crimes, safeguarding biodiversity, and upholding international conservation agreements. Furthermore, they highlight the need for heightened vigilance and collaboration among stakeholders to address the persistent threat of wildlife trafficking, particularly in transit hubs such as airports.
- With inputs from agencies
