A passenger arriving from Bangkok was arrested at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Friday evening for attempting to smuggle dozens of exotic animals protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, officials said.

The accused, identified as Indian national Sharukkhan Mohammed Hussain, landed on an IndiGo Airlines flight and was intercepted on the basis of specific intelligence, according to Mumbai Customs Zone III.

Rare species hidden in trolley bag

An examination of Hussain’s trolley bag revealed two kinkajous, also known as honey bears and native to Central and South American rainforests; two pygmy marmosets, the world’s smallest monkey species from South America; and 50 albino red-eared slider turtles, a rare colour variant of the common red-eared slider. Customs officials said the animals had been concealed to evade detection. Hussain has been charged under the Customs Act, 1962, in conjunction with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

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Kinkajous are listed as endangered under Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), while pygmy marmosets appear under Appendix II of CITES and Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act. Albino red-eared sliders are not listed under either framework.

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Seized animals to be returned

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has ordered the animals to be returned to Bangkok in line with India’s CITES commitments, with rescue operations carried out in partnership with the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW).

A customs official told PTI, “We seized Albino Red-Eared Slider Turtles, Marmosets, and Cuscus from his luggage. Immediate orders were issued to send the animals back to Bangkok under the Wildlife Protection Act and CITES.”

Mumbai Customs confirmed the incident on its official X account, stating: “On 08.08.2025, Customs Officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone III busted smuggling attempts. Officers retrieved Albino Red-Eared Slider turtles, Kinkajou, and Marmosets from one passenger returning from Bangkok. The passenger has been detained.”

Customs authorities have stepped up their crackdown on wildlife smuggling in recent months.