Seized at Mumbai airport: iguanas, drones, weed; 5 arrested

According to Custom officials, based on specific intelligence, they intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok and found 19 Iguanas, 10 orange bearded dragons, one dead raccoon, one monitor lizard, three squirrels of which one died in transit and two were critical, and two dead central American squirrel monkey. The animals had been concealed inside the trolley bag of the passenger who was subsequently placed under arrest.

The Customs officials also found three squirrels of which one died in transit and two were critical. (Express Photo)

In another case, a passenger flying in from Colombo was apprehended with ten drones worth Rs 32.19 lakh. The use of foreign drones is not allowed in the country without permission of the authorities. An official said that usually drones are brought at cheaper rates from foreign countries and are sold at higher rates in the domestic black market. The passenger was placed under arrest.

In addition to these two cases, the Customs officials, in three separate cases, arrested three persons who were allegedly carrying around 2 kg of hydroponic weed each, with a collective worth of around Rs 6 crore.

In another case, the Customs officials found around 4 kg of hydroponic weed (left), and apprehended ten drones worth Rs 32.19 lakh in a third case (right). (Express Photos)

An official said that since hydroponic weed has been legalised in Thailand since the past few years, attempts are made to smuggle the high quality weed into India. Bangkok has also become a hub from where exotic animals that are in high demand to be used as pets are smuggled into the country.

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