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45 live reptiles seized at Trichy airport, 2 arrested

45 live reptiles seized at Trichy airport, 2 arrested

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence issued a seizure report detailing how officers foiled an attempt to smuggle live reptiles into India at Trichy Airport. The action applies to international passengers and wildlife smugglers operating through airports. According to Free Press Journal, officers intercepted two Indian passengers arriving from Bangkok via Colombo on . A systematic examination of passenger baggage led to the recovery of forty-five live reptiles concealed inside twenty-seven food packets while the sedated animals remained hidden. The seized animals comprised twenty-three Corn Snakes, sixteen Ball Pythons, five Argentine Black and White Tegus, and one Snow White Iguana. Two passengers faced arrest by the Air Intelligence Unit, Trichy, under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and the recovered wildlife went to the unit for further necessary action. In practice, this means travellers attempting to transport animals illegally face baggage searches, confiscation of concealed wildlife, and arrest under federal customs laws. Readers can report suspected wildlife trafficking activity to customs authorities and airport intelligence units.

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