Mumbai: DRI seizes 306 exotic animals being smuggled into India from Thailand

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The Mumbai zonal unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 306 live exotic animals that were being smuggled into India from Thailand, an official said on Saturday.

The seizure, which was done in accordance with Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), was made in the early hours of Friday at the Air Cargo complex in Sahar in Andheri, he said.

"A consignment, declared as having live ornamental fish, was intercepted. We found 100 turtles, 62 tortoises, 110 snails, 30 juvenile crabs and four sting rays, all of which were concealed with the declared ornamental fish," the official said.

"The consignment contained Greek tortoise, red footed tortoise, Asian spurred tortoise, yellow spotted turtle, Albino red-eared slider turtle, Asian/Chinese leaf turtle and red bellied short head turtle," he added.

Further action, including rehabilitation of the exotic animals, is being taken in consultation with Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) officials and the Chief Wildlife Warden of Maharashtra, he said.

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The seized animals were handed over to Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare for stabilization and are being treated by Dr Rina Dev, RAWW founder president Pawan Sharma said.

The animals are under severe stress due to the journey and have suffered from primary and secondary infections, said Dr Dev.

"These do not belong to India and have been bred in captivity, so they cannot be released into the wild here. They may require repatriation to the country of origin or lifetime captivity care," Sharma added.

Meanwhile, D N Nagar police apprehended a trio while attempting to sell a dead sambar's skull on Tuesday. The police received a tip-off on July 25, indicating that the accused would be present near Vajeda House, Samata Nagar, Andheri (West). Upon reaching the spot, the police found three alleged culprits in possession of the dead Sambar's skull, which had thorns attached to it. Swiftly, the police apprehended the suspects.

According to API Rakesh Pawar of DN Nagar police station, "The accused have confessed that they found the animal in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and approximately two months ago, it had consumed plastic, leading to its imminent death. They claim they did not kill the animal; rather, they removed the skull after its skin decomposed and attempted to sell it in posh areas of Mumbai." The skull's estimated worth in the international market is Rs 20 lakh.

As part of the investigation, the police are examining the phone records of the alleged culprits to identify the intended buyer of the skull. Although this was their first attempt at such a crime, their plans were foiled due to an alert tip-off received by the police.]

The accused individuals, Harsh Dube, 22, Ashutosh Suryavanshi, 22, and Manoj Barap, 24, were presented before the Andheri metropolitan magistrate court and were remanded in police custody until July 26.

The trio has been booked under section 34 (Common Intention) and the relevant sections of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1976, as per the police's official statement. (Agencies)