A major wildlife smuggling attempt was thwarted at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi, with customs officials recovering a significant haul of rare and exotic wildlife species. The incident took place in the early hours of February 23, when three Indian passengers arrived on Air India Flight AI 303 from Bangkok. The suspects were immediately apprehended after officials discovered suspicious items in their luggage during a routine scan.Upon closer inspection, authorities found an assortment of exotic creatures, including snakes, lizards, and insects, hidden inside the bags of the passengers. The Customs Department swiftly seized all the contraband and detained the three individuals, who were handed over to relevant agencies for further investigation.The confiscated wildlife items included several endangered species of snakes, lizards, and other creatures:Snakes:Corn Snakes: 5Milk Snakes: 8Ball Pythons: 9Lizards:Bearded Dragons: 4Crested Geckos: 7Cameroon Dwarf Geckos: 11Gecko: 1Other Creatures:Authorities have vowed to take stringent legal action against the accused, as wildlife smuggling is a serious violation under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, as well as international laws. Investigations are underway to determine the motives behind the smuggling attempt and to identify any potential networks involved in the illegal trade.This arrest follows a similar incident at the airport earlier this month. On February 12, a passenger was apprehended for attempting to smuggle a diamond-studded gold necklace valued at Rs 6.08 crore into the country. Customs officials had intercepted the man upon his arrival from Bangkok, recovering the necklace after a thorough search of his baggage. The growing number of smuggling attempts highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in curbing illegal trade at one of India’s busiest airports.
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