Latest news with #AirIntelligenceUnit
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Squirrel monkey rescued from passenger at Tiruchi Airport
Officers of the Air Intelligence Unit, Tiruchi Airport, have rescued a live squirrel monkey from an air passenger, who arrived here from Kuala Lumpur on Friday. The animal is listed under the Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972. Investigation had been taken up, according to a post on X by the Trichy Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate.
Hindustan Times
4 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
4 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.
News18
23-06-2025
- News18
'Wake-Up Call': Rs 16 Crore Smuggling Network Busted At Mumbai Airport, 2 Staffers Arrested
Last Updated: On June 22, officers of the Air Intelligence Unit arrested two airport staffers who were found smuggling 24KT gold dust — coated in wax and stuffed inside socks in uniform pockets. In back-to-back busts within just 48 hours, Mumbai Customs Zone III has exposed a dark underbelly of smuggling operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport — uncovering nearly Rs 16 crore worth of illegal drugs and gold. On June 21, acting on specific intelligence, two Indian nationals arriving from Bangkok were intercepted. A thorough baggage check revealed 11.881 kg of high-grade hydroponic marijuana, cleverly vacuum-sealed and hidden inside pillow covers in their trolley bags. With an illicit value of Rs 11.88 crore, the bust is among the city's biggest drug seizures this year. Both passengers were arrested under the NDPS Act, and investigations are underway to trace the international network they were working for. Just a day later, on June 22, officers of the Air Intelligence Unit arrested two airport staffers who were found smuggling 24KT gold dust — coated in wax and stuffed inside socks concealed in their uniform pockets. The seizure, weighing 4.44 kilograms and valued at Rs 4.24 crore, exposed a worrying trend of insider involvement in organised gold smuggling. The two individuals were booked under the Customs Act, 1962. Authorities are now widening their probe into possible collusion between internal staff and gold smuggling syndicates operating across international routes. These twin operations have shaken the airport's security grid and reinforced the urgency of tightening internal surveillance mechanisms. Customs officials said these seizures underscore a larger challenge — smugglers are not only getting creative with concealment but also infiltrating from within. 'This is a wake-up call. Whether it's narcotics in tourist luggage or gold in staff uniforms, our teams are alert and acting without hesitation," a senior Customs official told News18. Further investigations are in progress to map out the criminal networks behind both high-stakes operations. First Published:
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Time of India
In separate instances, two employees at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport arrested for smuggling gold worth Rs 4.2 crore
Mumbai: Customs arrested two airport employees including the manager of a food court at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport Mumbai for smuggling around 5 kg of gold dust worth Rs 4.24 crore, in separate incidents. In the first incident the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs intercepted Mohammed Amir Doctor, a staffer of AI Airport Services Limited (AIASL) near the family washroom in front of the Immigration counter at the departure hall. As he was suspiciously moving the AIU officials detained and carried a search, resulting in recovery of 4 capsules purported to be gold dust. On interrogations, Doctor told officials that a transit passenger handed him over this contraband. Similarly another airport staffer (CDP employee) identified as Kushilal Yadav was also found loitering near the washroom at the immigration counter. The officials detained him and carried out a search resulting in recovery of 3,067 grams of gold dust worth Rs 1.39 crores. Customs officials placed both of them under arrest under Customs Act and intimated the airport authorities.
