In a major wildlife trafficking bust, Mumbai Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) intercepted and seized a large consignment of exotic reptiles smuggled into India.
The seizure, made on June 1, 2025, included three Spider-Tailed Horned Vipers and five Asian Leaf Turtles—both species listed under CITES Appendix II—along with 44 Indonesian Pit Vipers.
The reptiles were found concealed in the checked-in baggage of an Indian national who had arrived from Thailand. Acting on specific intelligence, officers from Mumbai Customs-III mounted surveillance and flagged the suspect’s baggage for detailed examination. The search revealed the live reptiles cleverly packed to evade detection.
The Spider-Tailed Horned Viper, a rare and venomous species native to western Iran, is known for its unique tail used to lure prey. The Asian Leaf Turtle is also a protected species due to its declining population from habitat loss and illegal trade. Indonesian Pit Vipers, though less rare, are often trafficked for the exotic pet trade.
Authorities confirmed that all the animals fall under the protection of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates and, in many cases, prohibits their international movement without permits.
The arrested individual is being investigated under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Officials also indicated that further inquiries are underway to determine the extent of the trafficking network and whether the individual was acting alone or as part of a larger smuggling syndicate.
