Indian customs officials at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport have intercepted a passenger attempting to smuggle dozens of venomous snakes into the country from Thailand.
In a statement released late Sunday, Mumbai Customs confirmed that the reptiles—concealed in the passenger’s checked-in baggage—included 44 Indonesian pit vipers, three Spider-tailed horned vipers, and five Asian leaf turtles.
"An Indian national arriving from Thailand was arrested," the department said, without disclosing the individual’s identity. Officials shared images of the seizure, showing brightly colored snakes writhing in a plastic bucket.
While smuggling attempts at the airport more commonly involve gold, currency, drugs, or narcotics hidden in body cavities, live exotic wildlife—especially snakes—remains a relatively rare find. However, customs authorities say the trafficking of endangered animals through Indian airports appears to be on the rise.
This latest seizure follows a string of unusual wildlife smuggling attempts intercepted at the same airport. In February, customs officials discovered five endangered Siamang gibbons—small apes native to Southeast Asia—hidden inside a plastic crate within a trolley bag.
In other recent incidents, officers confiscated 12 live turtles in November, four hornbill birds in October, and five juvenile caimans—reptiles related to alligators—in September, all smuggled in from Thailand.
Authorities are continuing investigations and have reiterated warnings about the dangers and legal consequences of wildlife trafficking.