Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai Jun 30: In a bizarre and alarming incident, Customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport arrested a Tamil Nadu resident attempting to smuggle 16 exotic snakes into the country from Thailand. The accused, identified as Goodman Linford Leo, was intercepted by officials on June 27 after his suspicious movements drew attention.

According to authorities, Leo had cleverly concealed the reptiles in 15 white pouches camouflaged amidst chocolate boxes in his baggage. A detailed inspection led to the shocking discovery of several rare species, including five Albino Honduran milk snakes, two garter snakes, two Kenyan sand boas, one coastal banded California king snake, five rhinoceros rat snakes, and an albino rat snake. Officials from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau were called in to identify and assess the rescued animals.

This is the third such seizure at Mumbai airport in the span of a month, raising serious concerns over rising incidents of wildlife trafficking through air routes. Earlier this month, officials had apprehended a Bangkok returnee attempting to smuggle 52 live reptiles, including rare Spider-Tailed Horned Vipers, Asian Leaf Turtles, and 44 Indonesian Pit Vipers. These species fall under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and are protected under India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

In a related case, another major reptile smuggling racket was recently busted at Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport, where officials recovered exotic species such as Californian king snakes, monitor lizards, tortoises, and chameleons from a passenger en route to Chennai from Hong Kong.

The customs department has reiterated its commitment to cracking down on illegal wildlife trade, calling such incidents not only a threat to biodiversity but also to public safety. The accused in the latest case has been booked under relevant sections of the Customs Act, 1962, and further investigation is underway.