Snakes on a Plane: On June 29, 2025, customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport intercepted a passenger arriving from Thailand who was hiding 16 live snakes in his checked luggage. These reptiles from garter snakes and California king snakes to rhino rat snakes, albino rat snakes, and Kenyan sand boas were hidden in cloth bags with disguises made from chocolate boxes and used clothing to further avoid detection. The man, who was eventually found to be a 34-year-old from Chennai, was arrested on the spot, and Indian authorities began conducting an in-depth investigation into the network of smugglers.
Snakes on a Plane
Customs called the seizure “yet another wildlife smuggling attempt,” and sent into custody the 34‑year‑old Chennai native. An investigation into his motives and accomplices continues.
Experts say this increase in illegal trade is primarily due to the exotic pet trade, where rare, unique, or interesting animals can be sold for a premium. An overwhelming majority of the illegal snakes in this specific case were non-venomous and often sold for use as pets. Their smuggling still wreaks havoc on biodiversity and animal welfare.
Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone-III foiled yet another wild life smuggling attempt, 16 live snakes-Garter, Rhino Rat, Albino Rat, Kenyan Sand Boa, CA King etc. seized from passenger returning from Thailand. Passenger arrested. Further investigation underway. pic.twitter.com/4n4o6ZK3U5
— Mumbai Customs-III (@mumbaicus3) June 29, 2025
These animals are already frequently harvested from the wild in unsustainable numbers, decimating their ecosystems and driving them to extinction. Additionally, being crammed into windpipe-suffocating bags or boxes, with no food and little air, results in tremendous pain and death for the animals being transported.
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Authorities’ response and next steps
Immediate arrest of the passenger involved.
Customs and airport wildlife teams are collaborating closely to trace trafficking networks.
Roaming patrols, enhanced scanning, and sniffer dog deployment at luggage checkpoints are being amplified.
Afterwards, Government authorities are coordinating with foreign counterparts, especially Thailand, to improve intelligence sharing and combat smuggling at the source.
