Mumbai: Over 600 smuggled exotic animals seized at airport by DRI; two held

The recovered exotic species. Pic/DRI

In one of the biggest seizures of rare and exotic wildlife species, the Mumbai zonal unit of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has recovered 665 reptiles of many exotic species from Air Cargo comple. The exotic species includes pythons, lizards, iguanas and turtles which were found concealed in the cartons containing aquarium fishes.

The estimated market value of the consignment is around Rs. 3 crore. In the matter, the importer and the receiver were arrested.

The DRI said, Acting on a specific information, the sleuths of DRI intercepted a vehicle at Vile Parle soon after it left the Air Cargo Complex with the consignment that had reached the city from Malaysia on Wednesday. The consignment was in the name of M/S Zion Aquatic and was supposed to be containing aquarium fishes however the DRI suspected it to be carrying live exotic animals.

The consignment was brought back to the air cargo complex, upon checking it, reptiles including pythons, lizards and iguanas and turtles were found hidden under trays over which fishes were kept. After finding reptiles a team from wildlife crime control bureau was called in for help.

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Of the total 30 boxes recovered by the DRI, 13 were containing reptiles and other exotic species. A total of 665 exotic species including pythons, lizards, iguanas, turtles were found while remaining boxes were having 'declared items' and one box was found to be empty.

117 were found to be dead. It is suspected that these may have died during transportation. The estimated market value of the consignment is over ₹2.98 crore, officials said.

As per the officials, these rare and exotic species are prohibited for import and are also listed under Appendices in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Following the seizure, Immanvel Raja proprietor of Zion Aquatic and one Victor Lobo were arrested under the relevant provisions of Customs Act, reads the remand application. The animals were reportedly sent by one David Lu of M/S Sea Garden Aquarium, Malaysia.

Advocate Sujay Kantawala, who appeared as defence lawyer for the two accused said, "my clients are innocent and were illegally detained, the seizure memo is dated October 8 and and since afternoon of October 6 his clients were in detention, hence, bail now is a matter of right he contended. He further added, five persons were detained, while some of them were released, two were shown arrested on Saturday morning.

"Apart from this, dealing with these alleged exotic species as per DRI allegations, it is also a bailable offence, moreover, the value shown in the panchnama is highly inflated and was not backed by any expert's valuation," argued Kantawala.

They were later granted bail on ₹15, 000 each.