3 on Bangkok flight arrested with exotic animals at airport

The customs department arrested three men at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport early on Sunday for trying to smuggle over 60 living rare animals into the country from Bangkok.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

NEW DELHI:

The animals included a wide variety of snakes, lizards, and millipedes, and a spider, all of which were intended to be sold at pet markets in the Capital, officials said.

The wildlife will be kept at the airport temporarily before being sent back to Thailand.

A senior customs official said the accused travelled in a direct flight from Bangkok to Delhi and landed at the airport's terminal 3 at 1.35 a.m.

"They were called for a physical and baggage check. A scan revealed suspicious images and after the luggage was opened, living animals -- including exotic species -- were found inside," a senior customs official said. Subsequently, the state forest department and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) were both alerted.