Following what was supposed to be a routine X-ray inspection, suspicions were raised about the pair’s attempt to board a Thai Airways flight to India.
Two women were apprehended for attempting to smuggle 109 animals out of Thailand in their luggage.
In their bags, officers found 35 turtles, 50 chameleons, 20 snakes, two white porcupines, and two armadillos.
Following what was supposed to be a routine X-ray inspection, suspicions were raised about the pair’s attempt to board a Thai Airways flight to India.
Both were arrested and charged with violating the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act, the Customs Act, and the Animal Epidemic Act of Thailand.
Monday’s incident occurred at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
According to the non-governmental organization Traffic, which monitors the trade in wild animals, such incidents are a “serious and growing” problem.
A March 2022 report warned, “It is the fourth-largest illegal trade in the world after arms, drugs, and human trafficking, and is frequently linked to other forms of serious crime such as fraud, money laundering, and corruption.
Food, traditional medicine, artifacts, fashion, and exotic pets are common reasons for wildlife smuggling.
Between 2011 and 2020, more than 70,000 wild animals, including their body parts and derivatives, were discovered at Indian airports, according to research conducted by Traffic.
And Chennai International Airport, where the arrested pair were traveling, had the country’s highest number of wildlife seizure incidents.
