Wildlife seizure: Capuchin monkeys, ball pythons found in passenger's luggage at B'luru airport

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: At least 17 baby king cobras and 55 ball pythons, among other animals, were found in the baggage of a passenger who landed at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in the city on Wednesday night.

Customs Officers at KIA booked a case of wildlife smuggling against the passenger, who, according to sources, is said to be a native of Tamil Nadu.

The officials said that the passenger arrived on an Air Asia flight from Bangkok at 10:30 p.m.

"After profiling a passenger who appeared suspicious while waiting near Terminal-1 of KIA, Customs officers uncovered a wildlife smuggling case," said an official.

While checking his baggage, the officials were shocked to discover live venomous reptiles tightly packed in crates. They also found six capuchin monkeys dead, likely due to suffocation inside a suitcase.

In total, 78 animals, including monkeys and snakes, were discovered in the passenger's baggage. All these animals were scheduled animals under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and listed under Appendices of CITES.

The animals were seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962. The live animals, including the snakes, have been deported to their country of origin, and the dead animals have been disposed of with proper sanitary measures.

Further investigation in the case is in progress, the officials added.