48 venomous snakes and 5 turtles seized from passenger's luggage at Mumbai airport after arrival from Bangkok; check photos

An Indian national arriving at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport from Thailand was intercepted by customs officials for carrying 48 highly venomous snakes and five turtles hidden in his luggage. The discovery was made during a thorough baggage inspection after the passenger disembarked from a flight originating in Bangkok. The seized reptiles included dangerous viper species and protected turtles, raising serious concerns over wildlife trafficking. Authorities, assisted by wildlife experts, are handling the reptiles as per legal protocols under the Wildlife Protection Act. The incident highlights ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife smuggling at Indian airports.

On 01.06.2025, officers at CSMIA seized 3 Spider-Tailed Horned Vipers & 5 Asian Leaf Turtles (CITES Appendix-II), along with 44 Indonesian Pit Vipers, concealed in checked-in baggage. An Indian national arriving from Thailand was arrested. pic.twitter.com/C07R2Y58ZX

— Mumbai Customs-III (@mumbaicus3) June 1, 2025

Passenger with venomous snakes and turtles seized at Mumbai airport

The traveller was stopped by customs officials late Saturday evening shortly after debarking from a flight that departed Bangkok. A meticulous search of his checked luggage yielded 48 poisonous vipers, three of which were spider-tailed horned vipers and 44 Indonesian pit vipers, in addition to five Asian leaf turtles. The Customs Bureau posted dramatic images on social media site X of the multicolored snakes squirming in containers at the time of the seizure. The identity of the passenger is not yet known since he is under arrest and has so far not made any public remarks.




Expert assistance and legal measures enforce wildlife protection laws

The Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) assisted the customs officers in safely identifying and handling the seized reptiles. Later, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) ordered the repatriation of the seized animals to their respective countries of origin under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, which controls the trade and importation of protected species.

India's wildlife protection laws clearly prohibit importing protected and endangered species with or without licenses and permits. The impounded reptiles are subject to these prohibitions, and the seizure has been carried out as part of the strict enforcement of these provisions.





Rising incidents of wildlife trafficking interceptions at Indian airport

This case is one of a larger trend of interceptions of wildlife trafficking at Indian airports. Exotic and endangered species smuggling continues to be a lingering problem for customs and wildlife departments.

In the last few months, officials have confiscated several wildlife contraband:

• In January: A Canadian national was apprehended from Delhi airport with a crocodile skull.

• In February: Mumbai airport customs officials caught a passenger trying to smuggle five Siamang gibbons hidden in a trolley.

• In November: exotic turtles were confiscated from passengers who had arrived from Bangkok.

• Chennai airport officials confiscated multiple reptiles, such as a horned pit viper, iguanas, and tortoises, from a passenger who was arriving from Thailand in 2019.

Strict regulations govern animal imports to protect India’s biodiversity

While importing animals into India is not prohibited, the process is strictly regulated. Importers are required to obtain all relevant permits and licenses, and some species, particularly those categorized as endangered or protected, are prohibited from importation entirely.

Customs authorities actively enforce these regulations to safeguard India's biodiversity and also block illegal wildlife trade that compromises global conservation efforts and harms indigenous ecosystems.




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