Live Animals Seized at Indian Airport

Customs officials at Chennai International Airport made a significant seizure of 22 live exotic animals from a passenger arriving from Thailand. The animals, which included an endangered siamang gibbon and various species of turtles and pythons, were discovered hidden in ventilated boxes carried by Mohamed Meera Sardharali, who arrived on a Thai Air Asia flight. His suspicious behavior prompted security officials to question him, leading to the identification of another individual, Mohammed Idris, who was waiting to receive the package. Both men were taken into custody, with Sardharali being remanded under the Customs Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. The customs department confirmed that all seized animals were safely returned to airlines for deportation to their countries of origin. Ongoing investigations have revealed a broader network of animal traffickers, with police and wildlife officials conducting further inquiries into the case. Following the questioning of Sardharali and Idris, authorities raided a residence in Kolathur, Chennai, uncovering a large cache of both native and exotic species. Among the seized animals were 240 Indian-roofed and tricarinate hill turtles, three black pond turtles, and 383 star tortoises. However, the house was empty at the time of the raid, and officials suspect that the animals were either smuggled into India or being prepared for illegal export. The property is reportedly linked to a dismissed police constable, S Ravi Kumar, who faces allegations of involvement in animal trafficking activities.