Latest news with #AlbinoHonduran
News18
30-06-2025
- News18
Man Held At Mumbai Airport For Smuggling 16 Exotic Snakes Hidden in Chocolate Boxes
Last Updated: Customs at Mumbai airport caught a man smuggling 16 exotic snakes from Thailand. The snakes were hidden in pouches among chocolates. Customs officials at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport have apprehended a man trying to smuggle 16 exotic snakes from Thailand. The accused, identified as Goodman Linford Leo, a Tamil Nadu resident, was caught red-handed by Mumbai Airport Customs on June 27. Officials got suspicious due to Leo's uncanny movement, and his check-in baggage was scanned. Upon scanning, the airport officials found five Albino Honduran milk snakes, two garter snakes, two Kenyan sand boas, a coastal banded California king snake, five rhinoceros rat snakes and an albino rat snake. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau identified the snakes that were concealed in 15 white pouches and camouflaged among chocolates. Notably, this is the third such seizure this month. Earlier this month, Mumbai Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) held a passenger attempting to smuggle 52 live reptiles. This passenger arrived from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG317. He was flagged by the officials due to unusual behaviour and intelligence. Upon scanning his baggage, the officials were shocked to find 52 live reptiles. Among them were three Spider-Tailed Horned Vipers, a rare desert snake species. The officers also found five Asian Leaf Turtles, a species native to Southeast Asia and frequently targeted in the exotic pet trade. Additionally, 44 Indonesian Pit Vipers were also found. Customs officers informed the concerned authorities. The Spider-Tailed Horned Viper and Asian Leaf Turtle are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The passenger was arrested under relevant sections of the Customs Act, 1962. Another reptile smuggling racket was busted at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. Customs officials seized a variety of exotic species, including Californian king snakes, monitor lizards, chameleons and tortoises from a man who was on his way to Chennai from Hong Kong. First Published: June 30, 2025, 13:10 IST
Mint
29-06-2025
- Mint
Man found with snakes hidden in chocolate boxes at Mumbai airport
A man from Tamil Nadu was recently apprehended at Mumbai Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle exotic snakes in the country. The accused identified as Goodman Linford Leo, who was trying to smuggle a total of 16 exotic snakes, was caught red handed by Mumbai Airport Customs on June 27 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the Times of India reported. The airport officials "suspicious of his movement" scanned his check-in baggage only to find five Albino Honduran milk snakes, two garter snakes, two Kenyan sand boas, a coastal banded California king snake, five rhinoceros rat snakes and an albino rat snake. These exotic species, identified by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, were concealed in 15 white cloth pouches tied with thread and rubber bands. To hide these pouches and deceive screening at checkpoints, the accused used chocolate boxes and old clothes. However, the officials grew sceptical of his uncanny moves through the green channel and stopped him for examination. According to custom officials, the accused planned to smuggle these beauties of the wild to sell them in the grey market, as per the report. He sought to exchange them of enormous amount of money that would have fetched him "several" lakhs. Although, neither of the above mentioned species is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) but import of these exotic snake species is illegal without documentation. Moreover, the accused confessed to smuggling them for financial gain. CITES refers to an international agreement between nations to regulates or bans the trade of threatened species. This convention came into force to control international trade in wild animals and plants. CITES seeks to ensure sustainable trade in wild animals and plants without compromising their existence. India, an active participant, complies with the need of permits and re-export certificates while exporting wild animals and plants.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Time of India
Snakes on a plane! 16 stuffed in cloth pouches amid chocolates
1 2 Mumbai: A man hailing from Tamil Nadu who was allegedly trying to illegally smuggle in exotic snakes into the country was arrested at the city airport on Friday. The accused, Goodman Linford Leo, was intercepted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Mumbai Airport Customs after officials said that they grew "suspicious of his movement" while exiting through the green channel. Customs officials said they examined his check-in baggage, and found 15 white cloth pouches tied with thread and rubber bands, camouflaged among chocolates and old clothes. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai On opening the pouches, officials found live exotic snakes, which were later identified by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau as two garter snakes, five rhinoceros rat snakes, an albino rat snakes, two Kenyan sand boas, a coastal banded California king snake, and five Albino Honduran milk snakes. Officials said that the accused had smuggled these exotic snakes to sell them in the grey market which would have fetched them "several" lakhs. None of the species is listed under the CITES convention, but import without documentation is illegal. The accused admitted to having knowingly smuggled the reptiles for monetary gain, said officials.
