Indian Man Arrested With 47 Venomous Vipers At Mumbai airport

Authorities in India have arrested a man for trying to smuggle dozens of rare reptiles, including venomous snakes, into the country.

The Indian citizen, who was returning from Thailand, was stopped by customs officials at the airport in Mumbai city on Sunday.

Officials said the reptiles, including 47 venomous vipers, were found concealed in the man’s checked-in luggage.

The reptiles have been seized under various wildlife protection laws in India.

The passenger has not been named and as he is in custody. He has not commented on his arrest.

Customs officials have released photographs on X of colourful snakes squirming in a dish.

In their post, they said they had seized three spider-tailed horned vipers, five Asian leaf turtles and 44 Indonesian pit vipers from the passenger.

It isn’t clear where the reptiles had been sourced from.

While it is not illegal to import animals into the country, India’s wildlife protection law bans the import of certain species, including those classified as endangered or protected by the government.

A passenger also needs to get the required permits and licenses before importing any wildlife.

Reports of customs officials seizing banned wildlife from passengers trying to smuggle them into the country are not uncommon

BBC