Caught Red-Handed: Avenomous Snakes and More at Mumbai's Airport
- favorable readability
customs officials seize multiple poisonous snakes from an Indian trafficker at the airport - Smuggler apprehended at airport with multiple dangerous snakes in India
Who'd expect a customs squad in bustling ** Mumbai** to stumble upon a trove of live animals? Typically, they're on the lookout for lucrative contraband like gold, cash, marijuana, or cocaine. But with the persistent wildlife trafficking issue, they've got their work cut out for them. Last month, for instance, customs nabbed a shrewd smuggler trying to bring in five Siamang gibbons. These little apes, native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, were cleverly stashed within a plastic container in the smuggler's trolley bag on a flight from Thailand.
But Mumbai Airport isn't novice to this cat-and-mouse game. Take a stroll down memory lane, and you'll find a charade of illicit wildlife activities last year. In November, a passenger's luggage was emptied out to reveal a dozen turtles. A month prior, customs intercepted four hornbill birds that arrived from Thailand on separate occasions. And don't forget the audacious duo arrested in September for attempting to sneak in five baby caimans, a subspecies of alligators.
- Mumbai Airport
- Thailand
- Sunday
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Smuggling
- Wildlife trafficking
Recent animal smuggling incidents at Mumbai Airport, India, have painted a picture of the relentless battle against wildlife trafficking. Here's a run-down of some interesting incidents:
- Venomous Snakes and Turtles Galore:
- In June 2025, an Indian national was busted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for smuggling wildlife, namely venomous snakes and turtles, from Thailand. The multiple species haul included 44 Indonesian pit vipers, three Spider-tailed horned vipers, and five Asian leaf turtles[1][2][4].
- The snakes were artfully concealed within checked baggage, with suspicious behavior setting off a routine inspection[5].
- Siamang Gibbons:
- In February 2025, customs officials seized five Siamang gibbons, an endangered ape native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand[4].
- Turtles and Hornbill Birds:
- In November 2024, customs officers confiscated 12 live turtles. A month prior, four hornbill birds were intercepted on flights arriving from Thailand[4].
- Caimans Everywhere:
- In September 2024, two passengers were apprehended with five juvenile caimans, a reptile in the alligator family[4].
These incidents underscore the escalating need for customs and wildlife authorities to remain diligent in combating this illegal trade, which involves endangered and protected species. Mumbai Airport has become a focal point in this endeavor due to its position as a major international hub[1][5].
On a Sunday in June 2025, an individual from India was caught at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, smuggling cannabis and cocaine while attempting to bring in venomous snakes and turtles from Thailand. Meanwhile, in the realm of politics and general news, these incidents highlight the pressing issue of crime and justice, particularly wildlife trafficking, that continues to persist.
These events at Mumbai Airport reflect the escalating fight against illegal wildlife trade, as customs officials have also seized endangered Siamang gibbons, turtles, and hornbill birds from Thailand, as well as five juvenile caimans, in November 2024, February 2025, and September 2024 respectively. This trade, which involves protected species, underscores the necessity for continued diligence from customs and wildlife authorities to combat this ongoing issue, with Mumbai Airport serving as a pivotal point due to its status as a major international hub.
