Chennai, August 13: In an unprecedented incident, live animals, including a monkey and snakes, were recovered from the baggage of a passenger who landed at Chennai Airport from Bangkok, Customs officials said on Saturday.
The official said that the passenger, whose name was not disclosed, was intercepted by Customs officials on Thursday at on the basis of intelligence input.
Watch: Passenger From Bangkok Held at Chennai Airport With Live Animals
விமானத்தில் கடத்திவரப்பட்ட பாம்புகள், ஆமை மற்றும் குரங்கு #Bangkok | #Customs | #ChennaiAirport pic.twitter.com/06BCQAIcdC
— PuthiyathalaimuraiTV (@PTTVOnlineNews) August 13, 2022
"On examination of his checked-in baggage, a DeBrazza monkey, 15 King snakes, 5 ball pythons and two Aldabra tortoises were recovered. Since the live animals were imported illegally, they were departed back to the country of origin through Thai Airways in consultation with the AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Service)," the official said. Live Snake in Pants! Man Caught Smuggling 16-inch Boa at Berlin Airport.
Passenger From Bangkok Held at Chennai Airport With Live Animals
Based on intel, on 11.08.22 a male pax arriving from Bangkok in TG-337 was intercepted by Customs Officers. On examination of checked-in baggage 1-DeBrazza Monkey, 15-KingSnakes, 5-Ball Pythons and 2-Aldabra Tortoises were recovered. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/cN4hoYcQtM
— Chennai Customs (@ChennaiCustoms) August 13, 2022
A case under the Wildlife Protection Act was lodged and other government departments concerned were duly informed. The accused was produced before a local court, which accepted the Customs' request to send him to judicial custody for 14 days. He has been lodged in a Chennai jail.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 13, 2022 06:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).