Red-Footed Tortoise To Green Tree Python: Customs Officials Bust Wildlife Smuggling Ring At Chennai Airport, Seize 22 Exotic Animals

Wildlife Smuggling Racket: The subsequent raid at a house in Kolathur on Sunday uncovered a number of native and exotic species including star tortoises, Indian roofed turtles and royal ball pythons.

The seized animals were likely intended for trafficking to foreign countries, officials said.

Source : X

In a major crackdown on wildlife smuggling, customs officials at Chennai International Airport intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, and seized a total of 22 exotic wildlife species. The operation unfolded late on Saturday night when Mohammed Meera Sardharali landed on Air Asia flight FD 153 at 11:10 PM.

The customs officers, acting on intelligence inputs, conducted a thorough examination of Sardharali’s checked-in luggage. To their surprise, they discovered a variety of exotic animals, including one Siamang Gibbon (a monkey species native to Indonesia and Malaysia), two Sunda flying lemurs, a red-footed tortoise, five Indo-Chinese box turtles, nine four-eyed turtles, one keeled box turtle, two green tree pythons, and one white-lipped python.

 

Tamil Nadu | Exotic pets smuggling bids foiled at Chennai airport, 22 wildlife species were seized from a passenger - Mohamed Meera Sardharali who came from Thailand. One Siamang Gibbon (monkey native to Indonesia, and Malaysia), two Sunda flying lemurs, one red-foot tortoise, 5… pic.twitter.com/2qy8fyDgd2

— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2024

 

Authorities immediately detained both Sardharali and an accomplice who had come to receive the illegal consignment outside the airport. The investigation led officials to a house in Kolathur, Chennai, where more smuggled wildlife was discovered, as per a report on The Hindu. The subsequent raid on Sunday uncovered a shocking number of native and exotic species, including star tortoises, Indian roofed turtles, Tricarinate hill turtles, black pond turtles, and royal ball pythons.

The seized animals were likely intended for trafficking to foreign countries, officials said, as per the report. No individuals were found in the Kolathur house, which appeared to serve as a temporary holding facility for the smuggled wildlife. Both suspects are now in custody as the investigation continues into what appears to be a significant wildlife trafficking network.