Customs Department officials at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru have foiled an attempt to smuggle 10 yellow anacondas into the city. The passenger, arriving from Bangkok, was detained at KIA, and the reptiles were discovered concealed in a checked-in bag.
This incident is not an isolated case. In January 2022, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officers intercepted three passengers arriving from Bangkok at KIA and recovered 18 non-indigenous animals (4 primates and 14 reptiles) from their checked-in baggage. Similarly, in August 2022, Customs officials arrested a man carrying 234 reptiles, including pythons, chameleons, iguanas, turtles, and alligators, along with a carcass of a baby kangaroo concealed in his trolley bag.
The smuggling of wildlife poses a significant threat to endangered species and ecosystems worldwide. Species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are subject to the provisions of the convention, and trafficking in such species is a serious offense.
The ongoing efforts by Customs officials at KIA to intercept wildlife smuggling attempts demonstrate the commitment of Indian authorities to combating this illegal trade. The arrest of the passenger and the confiscation of the yellow anacondas send a strong message that wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated.
