Authorities arrest passenger for smuggling 16 live snakes into India

In India, customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai intercepted a plane passenger arriving from Thailand on Sunday, June 30, 2025, who was attempting to smuggle a collection of 16 live snakes. This incident marks the third wildlife smuggling seizure of the month, highlighting a worrying trend in animal trafficking linked to the exotic pet trade. The seized snakes included various species, many of which are popular in the pet market, such as garter snakes and the rarer rhino rat snake, demonstrating the continuous demand for exotic wildlife among collectors and enthusiasts. The customs agency confirmed that the arrested passenger has been taken into custody and is currently under investigation. This case is part of a broader issue concerning illegal wildlife smuggling, particularly from Thailand to India, a route that has seen over 7,000 animals intercepted in the last three and a half years. Reports from wildlife trading organization TRAFFIC indicate that the trend of smuggling live animals is escalating, with many creatures being trafficked for the lucrative exotic pet market. While the majority of the captured animals are often non-venomous, the volume and variety being trafficked raise significant concerns about conservation and animal welfare. Mumbai customs officials are typically more accustomed to seizing illegal gold and drugs; however, they have recently faced an increase in wildlife smuggling cases. Patterns have emerged where passengers arriving from Thailand are often caught attempting to transport a range of illegal wildlife, as indicated by a recent case involving a traveler carrying numerous lizards and tree-climbing possums. This spike in smuggling activities corresponds to rising popularity and demand for exotic pets, leading to desperate measures employed by smugglers. As authorities grapple with these cases, TRAFFIC's Southeast Asia director, Kanitha Krishnasamy, noted that the frequency and diversity of wildlife seizures underscore the urgent need for stronger enforcement measures and public awareness campaigns regarding wildlife trafficking. Efforts to protect endangered species and curb illegal wildlife trade are becoming increasingly vital as more instances of smuggling occur. The customs agency's recent seizure serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by enforcement agencies in combatting wildlife trafficking effectively.