Exotic wildlife smuggling linked to pet shops again

B'luru-based pet store owner nabbed by K'taka Customs on May 12

- SIDDHARTH PRABHAKAR @Chennai

IN yet another clear indication of the involvement of pet shops in the trafficking of exotic wildlife from Thailand and Malaysia to India, the Bengaluru Airport Customs last week arrested the owner of a popular pet shop in the city who had allegedly arrived there to receive a Coimbatore-based man who had smuggled some venomous snakes, a cuscus and possum from Thailand.

On May 12, Bengaluru Customs intercepted Jagadeesh Raman (43), a native of Sulur in Coimbatore, after he arrived from Bangkok on the TG-325 Thai Airways flight. His bag was found to contain nine Wagler's pit vipers, a venomous snake found in south-east Asia, a common cuscus and a possum. Customs officials also arrested Yogesh P (36) who allegedly came to receive the trafficked animals.