Mumbai airport wildlife smuggling bust: 52 exotic reptiles seized from passenger arriving from Bangkok

In a major enforcement action against cross-border wildlife trafficking, customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai seized 52 exotic reptiles from a passenger arriving from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG317. The intercepted wildlife, discovered during a baggage inspection late Friday evening, included 48 venomous snakes and five endangered turtles.

Authorities confirmed the seizure under India‘s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, citing violations of customs and environmental laws. The passenger, an Indian national identified as Mohammed Hanif Shahul, was taken into custody after officials flagged suspicious luggage upon arrival. The seizure, officials said, comprised 44 Indonesian pit vipers, three rare spider-tailed horned vipers, and five Asian leaf turtles—species recognized for their ecological significance and protected status under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

What Was Seized in the Wildlife Smuggling Attempt?

Customs officials revealed that the reptiles were tightly packed in small containers and cloth bags, concealed within checked luggage that was intended to avoid thermal or X-ray detection. The Indonesian pit vipers and horned vipers are known for their potent venom and illegal demand in the exotic pet trade. The Asian leaf turtles, on the other hand, are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, making their possession or transport a punishable offense in India.

Veterinary and environmental specialists from the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) were immediately called to examine the animals’ health. Preliminary assessments confirmed that all species were wild-caught and smuggled in contravention of both Indian law and international treaty obligations.

How Did Authorities Detect the Trafficking Operation?

According to customs sources, the passenger was flagged during routine profiling due to prior alerts shared by international wildlife crime units. On noticing suspicious behavior and inconsistent travel patterns, customs officials at Terminal 2 subjected the individual to detailed baggage screening.

Following the seizure, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) was formally notified and assumed responsibility for further investigation. The passenger was booked under the Customs Act, 1962, and the Wildlife Protection Act. Officials have confirmed that deportation arrangements are being initiated for the seized animals in coordination with the Thai wildlife authorities.

Why Has Mumbai Become a Wildlife Trafficking Hotspot?

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has increasingly become a hub for smuggled wildlife due to its high passenger volumes and direct connectivity to Southeast Asia. Wildlife protection groups have long raised concerns that India, particularly cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, is not only a destination for exotic species but also a critical transit point in a global network that links Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Africa.

Past seizures at Indian airports reinforce this trend. In January 2025, Chennai customs intercepted a smuggler carrying hornbills and radiated tortoises. In 2024, Mumbai airport officials confiscated five Siamang gibbons trafficked from Kuala Lumpur. These repeated incidents reflect a deeper crisis tied to increasing demand for exotic pets and traditional medicines across Asia.

What Are the Ecological and Legal Implications of the Seized Species?

The intercepted reptiles are not only dangerous but also ecologically significant. The spider-tailed horned viper, found primarily in Iran and parts of Iraq, has a rare hunting adaptation and is highly valued in the illegal pet trade. The Indonesian pit viper, often poached for its vivid coloration, is subject to rapid population decline due to illegal capture. The Asian leaf turtle is critically threatened due to habitat loss and overexploitation.

India’s Wildlife Protection Act prescribes stringent penalties—including imprisonment and fines—for trafficking Schedule I species. International treaties such as CITES mandate that member countries, including India and Thailand, report and repatriate such wildlife, which explains the urgency in initiating the deportation of the seized reptiles.

Byculla Zoo in Mumbai has taken temporary custody of the reptiles for veterinary assessment. Authorities have clarified that under no circumstance will the animals be released into Indian ecosystems due to biosecurity risks.

What Happens to the Accused Passenger Now?

Mohammed Hanif Shahul was booked by Mumbai customs and remains in judicial custody pending further investigation. Agencies are currently examining the passenger’s communication devices and travel history to establish potential links to organized smuggling networks.

Preliminary indications suggest that the accused was acting as a mule—part of a larger syndicate based out of Thailand. Officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and WCCB are now coordinating with counterparts in Bangkok to trace the supply chain. If convicted under India’s environmental protection laws, the accused could face up to seven years in prison, in addition to monetary penalties.

The WCCB has also submitted reports to Interpol’s Environmental Crime Committee under the ENVIRONET protocol to flag the case as part of a broader trafficking pattern. India’s enforcement agencies are expected to use this data to tighten profiling systems and enhance cross-border intelligence collaboration.

What Is India Doing to Tackle Wildlife Crime at Airports?

India’s response to wildlife trafficking has intensified in recent years. The establishment of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, expansion of customs profiling systems, and enhanced cooperation with Southeast Asian enforcement bodies have yielded positive results.

The Customs department has introduced advanced non-intrusive inspection (NII) systems at high-risk airports like Mumbai, and training modules have been updated to help personnel identify wildlife contraband. Special coordination cells now work alongside organizations such as TRAFFIC and WWF-India to map smuggling routes and intercept syndicates.

Despite these efforts, conservationists believe that a combination of public education, stricter airline cargo controls, and diplomatic pressure on source countries is essential. With the illegal wildlife trade estimated to be worth over $20 billion globally, India’s role in curbing demand and facilitating enforcement remains vital to international conservation efforts.

Why This Seizure Underscores a Larger Global Threat

The Mumbai seizure is not an isolated incident but rather a window into a much larger, persistent, and globally interconnected crisis. From ivory and pangolins to rare reptiles and birds, the illegal wildlife trade thrives on porous borders, lax enforcement, and consumer demand rooted in vanity or unproven medicinal claims.

By foiling the latest smuggling attempt, Indian customs officials have prevented potentially deadly species from entering illegal markets where they may have either ended up as exotic pets or in black-market pharmaceutical production. The seizure sends a strong message to trafficking syndicates: India remains vigilant, well-coordinated, and committed to international conservation goals.

But for every case intercepted, experts warn that many others go undetected. As enforcement agencies look to strengthen legal, technological, and diplomatic mechanisms, the real victory will come not just from seizures, but from eliminating the demand that fuels this dark global industry.