Smuggled kingsnakes and other exotic species seized at Chennai airport, deported back to Thailand

CHENNAI: Customs officials at Chennai airport seized exotic wildlife species smuggled by a man from Thailand on Thursday. They sent the animals back to Thailand.
As many as 15 kingsnakes, five ball pythons, two aldabra tortoises and one De Brazza’s monkey, which had been hidden in boxes inside the checked-in luggage, were recovered by the customs officials. The seizure was made based on a tip-off.
The kingsnakes and ball pythons are nonvenomous and are easy to take care. They are raised as exotic pets.
De Brazza’s monkey
K R Uday Bhaskar, principal commissioner, Chennai customs, said the species were identified with the help of wildlife crime bureau officials and were suitably fed.
"Their health was monitored and they were sent back to Thailand on Friday night. They would be received by the wildlife officials there and released into their natural habitat as they find it difficult to survive here,” said the official.
The man who smuggled them has been identified as Mohammed Shahiel. During interrogation, he said an unknown person had handed over the baggage to him in Thailand to deliver it to a person in Chennai.
Pythons
Customs officials said they had received information that a Thailand national was carrying the animals but they ended up detecting the species in the baggage of an Indian national. However, he was not arrested since the value of wildlife species could not be estimated.
The passenger had not carried any valid DGFT licence or advance NOC issued by AQCS (Animal Quarantine & Certification Services), ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry & dairying, said an official.
Aldabra tortoise
Customs officials were investigating who the exotic species were destined for.