Chennai Customs seize 22 exotic wildlife species from passenger at airport

Following the seizure, the person waiting to receive the species was also arrested

Published - August 13, 2024 12:24 am IST - CHENNAI

A green tree python that was rescued at the airport.

A green tree python that was rescued at the airport. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

The Chennai Air Customs officials have seized 22 different exotic wildlife species from a passenger at the airport.

Based on a tip-off, officials intercepted Mohamed Meera Sardharali, who arrived from Bangkok on August 10, and found in his possession 22 exotic species of wildlife. The officials informed the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, who identified the species. These included a red foot tortoise, five Indochinese box turtles, nine four-eyed turtles, a keeled box turtle, two green tree pythons, a white lipped python, two Sunda flying lemurs, and a Siamang gibbon. Following the seizure, the person waiting to receive the species was also arrested, a press release said. Both of them were remanded in judicial custody.

Customs officials shared intelligence with the authorities of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and the Wildlife Warden. They raided a hideout in Kolathur and seized several species including an Indian roofed turtle, tricarinate hill turtle, and black pond turtle.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.