Latest news with #AIU
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Six exotic animals were trafficked from Bangkok seized at Kochi airport
KOCHI: In a major wildlife trafficking bust, the Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at Kochi airport on Monday intercepted two passengers who were found smuggling six exotic animals from Bangkok. The animals were concealed in their checked-in baggage. The rescued animals include three common marmosets, two white-lipped tamarins — both native to the Amazon rainforest — and a hyacinth macaw, a rare parrot species found in South America. Acting on a tip-off, the customs officers intercepted the duo at the airport's exit gate and carried out a detailed inspection of their luggage, which led to the discovery and seizure of the animals. Officials estimate the market value of the seized animals to be over `5 lakh. 'These animals are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, and their possession is strictly prohibited in India,' said a customs official. The passengers, along with the seized animals, were handed over to the forest department for further action. An official communication was also sent to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) regarding the incident. The forest department will register a case, after which the animals will be repatriated to Bangkok.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Middle-distance runner Twinkle lands in dope net; faces four-year ban
CHENNAI: IT is starting to be bit more frequent. Weeks after Sneha K had to be omitted from the Asian Athletics Championships team, middle distance runner Twinkle Chaudhary tested positive. According to the World Athletics anti-doping watchdog Athletics Integrity Unit(AIU), Twinkle tested positive for anabolic and androgenic steroid (AAS) Methyltestosterone. She was part of the team that travelled to Gumi in May and is understood to have been tested there. This is another case of high-profile athletes, a national and international medallist testing positive after javelin thrower Shivpal Singh and quarter-miler Sneha this year. Twinkle has been provisionally suspended. Interestingly, she competed in Taiwan and won silver and at the Asian meet she finished fourth. The event in Taiwan came after the meet in Gumi. At April's senior national federation athletics competition in Kochi, Twinkle represented Reliance and won the 800m with a timing of 2:00.71 (new meet record). It needs to be seen if the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) had tested her. She has been provisionally suspended under World Anti-Doping Agency's anti-doping rule. She faces a maximum of four year ban for first offence.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
National Games medal-winning runner Twinkle Chaudhary provisionally suspended after positive doping test
Multiple National Games medallist Twinkle Chaudhary has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid Methyltestosterone. The 28-year-old middle-distance runner from Jalandhar had recently won gold in the women's 4x400m relay, silver in the 800m, and bronze in the mixed 4x400m relay at the National Games held in Uttarakhand. In April, she set a new meet record of 2:00.71s in the 800m at the National Federation Senior Athletics Championships in Kochi. Earlier this month, Chaudhary won silver in the 800m at the Taiwan Open and finished fourth in the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea in May. The AIU has issued her a 'notice of allegation,' and she will now have the opportunity to present her case at a hearing. Chaudhary's suspension is the latest blow to Indian athletics, which continues to grapple with a poor doping record. Just last month, quarter-miler Sneha Kolleri was suspended after testing positive for another steroid, Stanazolol. India topped the 2023 doping charts among countries that conducted over 5,000 tests, with an adverse findings rate of 3.8%. Of the 204,809 tests conducted globally, India accounted for 214 positive cases—over 11% of the total. The Sports Ministry has pledged to intensify anti-doping efforts through awareness campaigns. An amended National Anti-Doping Act is expected to be introduced in Parliament soon, after addressing concerns raised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding government interference. The AIU enforces anti-doping regulations globally in athletics.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Illegal wildlife cargo to be sent back to Thailand
Jun 27, 2025 07:54 AM IST Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Customs intercepted two passengers who flew in on an Air India flight from Bangkok early on Thursday morning. The duo were caught smuggling a cargo of wild reptiles and small furry mammals in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Illegal wildlife cargo to be sent back to Thailand The smugglers' luggage contained two Sumatran striped rabbits (Nesolagus netscheri), a Waigeo spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus papuensis), two Brown basilisk lizards (Basiliscus vittatus), and a green iguana. While the rabbits and the lizard are not listed in CITES, the cuscus and iguana were listed as endangered species in the amended Wildlife Protection Act. Importing such wildlife is a violation of CITES and import policy as it requires a director of foreign trade license. Since the species were not indigenous,Yogesh Warkad, deputy director of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau said, 'We have clearly instructed that these animals must be sent back to the country of their origin.'' The Animal Quarantine Department has issued a deportation certificate and the animals are to be sent back to their natural habitat in Thailand.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Two flyers smuggle in exotic species from Bangkok, arrested at Mumbai airport
1 2 3 4 5 6 Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Customs on Wednesday intercepted two Indian men at Mumbai airport after they arrived from Bangkok with endangered wildlife species, including two Sumatran striped rabbits, one Waigeou spotted cuscus, three Brown basilisk lizards (one was dead), and 115 green iguanas, concealed in their baggage. Waigeou spotted cuscus and green iguana are listed under Appendix-II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, making their transport strictly regulated. The duo was arrested under relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai With the help of an NGO and the animal quarantine department, the rescued animals safely secured and deported to their country of origin after due legal process, AIU officials said Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify the broader network behind the animal trafficking. Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Customs on Wednesday intercepted two Indian men at Mumbai airport after they arrived from Bangkok with endangered wildlife species, including two Sumatran striped rabbits, one Waigeou spotted cuscus, three Brown basilisk lizards (one was dead), and 115 green iguanas, concealed in their baggage. Waigeou spotted cuscus and green iguana are listed under Appendix-II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, making their transport strictly regulated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Turn everyday drives into standout moments. Toyota Glanza Learn More Undo The duo was arrested under relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. With the help of an NGO and the animal quarantine department, the rescued animals safely secured and deported to their country of origin after due legal process, AIU officials said Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify the broader network behind the animal trafficking.
