Passenger carries 47 venomous snakes in plane luggage

Indian authorities have arrested a man who was attempting to smuggle dozens of rare reptiles, including venomous snakes.

The Indian national, who was returning from Thailand, was detained by customs officers at Mumbai airport in India on Sunday.

Officials said the reptiles, including 47 venomous snakes, were found hidden in the man’s checked luggage. They were being kept in a paper bag.

Customs authorities posted photos of the animals on X and stated they had seized 3 horned spider vipers, 5 Asian spiny turtles, and 44 Indonesian pit vipers. It remains unclear where and how the man obtained these animals.

Although it's not illegal to import animals into the country, the Indian Wildlife Protection Act prohibits the import of certain species, including those classified as endangered or protected by the government.

(MH with MaSi – Source: BBC / X – Photo: © Unsplash)