Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 2: In a bizarre smuggling attempt, a man arriving from Bangkok was caught with 48 venomous snakes and five turtles at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, customs officials confirmed on Sunday.

The passenger was intercepted by customs late Saturday night upon landing from a Thailand-origin flight. During inspection, officials discovered dozens of live reptiles, including three highly venomous Spider-tailed horned vipers and five Asian leaf turtles.

The customs team immediately sought assistance from the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare to identify and safely handle the exotic and dangerous species.

“The Spider-tailed horned viper is known for its deadly venom and unique hunting strategy that lures birds,” officials said, while adding that the seized turtles are also not commonly found in illegal wildlife trades at the airport.

Following directives under the Wildlife Protection Act, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau ordered that the animals be deported to their country of origin.

Wildlife smuggling cases involving reptiles are rare in Mumbai, where customs officials usually deal with smuggled gold, narcotics, or cash hidden inside passengers’ bodies or luggage.

This incident follows a similar case in February when a man was caught trying to smuggle five endangered Siamang gibbons concealed in a plastic crate inside a suitcase. Authorities said the animals were "ingeniously concealed" and noted the rising sophistication in wildlife smuggling methods.