Exotic Pets Smuggling Busted: The customs team at Chennai airport took a major action on Monday (12 August 2024). Attempts to smuggle exotic pets have been foiled here. 22 wildlife species have been seized from a passenger named Mohammed Mira Sardarali who came from Thailand.
According to the customs, the team recovered one Siamang Gibbon (a monkey native to Indonesia and Malaysia), two Sunda Flying Lemurs, one Red-footed Tortoise, 5 Indo Chain Box Turtles, 9 Four-eyed Turtles, 1 Keeled Box Turtle, 2 Green Tree Pythons and 1 White-lipped Python from its possession.
Tamil Nadu | Exotic pets smuggling bids foiled at Chennai airport, 22 wildlife species were seized from a passenger – Mohamed Meera Sardharali who came from Thailand. One Siamang Gibbon (monkey native to Indonesia, and Malaysia), two Sunda flying lemurs, one red-foot tortoise, 5… pic.twitter.com/2qy8fyDgd2
— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2024
A house was also raided in follow up action
Taking action in this case, the team has arrested both the passenger and the receiver outside the airport. Apart from this, in follow-up action, the customs team searched a house in Kolathur and seized more wildlife from there. The team recovered an Indian roof turtle, tricarinate hill turtle, black pond turtle, star tortoise and royal ball python from this house.
