Key points
- The accused was attempting to smuggle a total of 16 exotic snakes
- He used chocolate boxes and old clothes to hide snakes
ISLAMABAD: A passenger from Tamil Nadu was arrested at Mumbai Airport in India for allegedly attempting to smuggle exotic snakes in the country.
The Times of India reported that the accused identified as Goodman Linford Leo, who was attempting to smuggle a total of 16 exotic snakes, was caught red handed by Mumbai Airport Customs on June 27 at Airport.
“Suspicious”
The airport officials “suspicious of his movement” scanned his check-in baggage only to find five Albino Honduran milk snakes, two garter snakes, two Kenyan sand boas, a coastal banded California king snake, five rhinoceros rat snakes and an albino rat snake, according to India media.
To hide these pouches and deceive screening at checkpoints, the accused used chocolate boxes and old clothes. However, the officials grew sceptical of his moves through the green channel and stopped him for examination.
According to custom officials, the accused planned to smuggle it to sell them in the grey market, as per the report. He sought to exchange them of enormous amount of money that would have fetched him “several” lakhs.
