Smuggling operation crushed: Two smugglers caught red-handed with exotic lizards at Indian airport
by ShravyaIn a daring attempt to smuggle endangered species, two individuals were caught when Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials intercepted the duo arriving from Bangkok, triggering a swift response from the authorities.
The incident took place at Visakhapatnam International Airport in Visakhapatnam district on November 27.
Visuals showed a blue-tongued lizard being held by an airport official. In other footage, two of the lizards were seen wrapped in covers and carefully placed in an open box under the watchful eyes of the authorities.
According to reports, the DRI acted on specific intelligence and searched the passengers’ luggage. Inside, they discovered the exotic reptiles concealed in cake packets. The two individuals were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, of 1962, and the Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972.
The DRI clarified that the import of live animals listed under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is strictly prohibited without a valid license from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The agency confirmed that the smuggled lizards were later deported back to Thailand.