Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) arrested a passenger arriving from Bangkok on an IndiGo Airlines flight on Friday, August 8, for attempting to smuggle 54 exotic animals. The seizure, one of the largest at Mumbai airport this year, included two Kinkajous, two Pygmy Marmosets, and 50 Albino Red-Eared Slider Turtles, concealed in a dark grey trolley bag. The passenger, identified as Sharukkhan Mohammed Hassian, was apprehended under the Customs Act, 1962, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The Kinkajous (Appendix III, CITES) and Pygmy Marmosets (Appendix II, CITES; Schedule IV, Wildlife Protection Act) are protected species, while the Albino Red-Eared Sliders are not listed but require import permits. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) ordered immediate repatriation to Thailand, coordinated with the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) for animal care. “The animals were in distress, packed to evade detection,” said RAWW founder Pawan Sharma, emphasizing the need for a quarantine facility at the airport.

The seizure follows a string of wildlife trafficking cases at CSMIA, with nine incidents reported since February 2025, including meerkats, gibbons, and reptiles. Authorities suspect links to an international smuggling syndicate, with investigations ongoing to trace the animals’ origin and destination. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s recent guidelines ensure airlines bear the cost of deporting illegally imported animals, reinforcing India’s commitment to CITES and wildlife protection.

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