2 days ago
Six animals seized from air passengers
Six live animals were seized from two passengers by the Customs Air Intelligence Unit at the Kochi airport.
The passengers who arrived by a Thai Air flight were intercepted by Customs officials based on profiling at the exit gate. A detailed examination of their checked-in baggage led to the recovery of a Hyacinth Macaw, three Common Marmoset, and two White-lipped Tamarin. The passengers were handed over to the forest officials for further investigation.
As per the provisions of the EXIM policy, import of live animals listed under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and the CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is strictly regulated. Commercial trade of species listed under CITES and Appendix 1 and Schedule IV of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 also remains prohibited.
