In a significant breakthrough, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs Department at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru foiled an international wildlife smuggling racket on Wednesday. Four individuals, including a woman, were arrested after they were found attempting to smuggle several exotic birds, reptiles, and mammals concealed in their check-in luggage. This marks the second such incident in just four days at the airport.

The arrested suspects, identified as Manoj Kumar Rengaraj, Jayaraman Ramaraj, Anandan Kumaravel, and Khamar Taj, were apprehended upon arrival at KIA after they flew in from Bangkok. The accused come from various locations, with Manoj Kumar and Jayaraman hailing from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, Anandan from J.P. Nagar in Bengaluru, and Khamar Taj from Devanahalli. According to AIU sources, the individuals were acting as mules in a larger smuggling operation. For each trip, they were reportedly paid between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000, in addition to receiving free food and accommodation.

The operation involved the smuggling of exotic wildlife meant for private collectors and zoo keepers, authorities said. The suspects were provided with check-in baggage containing cages with a variety of protected species. The smuggling attempt was uncovered when the customs officers intercepted the individuals as they arrived at the airport. The accused were instructed to hand over the bags containing the animals to people waiting outside the airport, upon receiving a confirmation via a code word.

Among the wildlife rescued were several rare and endangered species. The smuggled animals included the red-whiskered bulbul, king bird-of-paradise, Sulawesi myna, and albino pygmy dormouse, along with reptiles such as the black-and-red broadbill, three iguanas (two green and one red), and four Indochinese box turtles. All these species are considered to be protected under international conservation agreements, and their trafficking is illegal under Indian and global wildlife protection laws.

The arrest and confiscation of these animals highlight the persistent issue of wildlife trafficking in India, particularly through international airports. Authorities have vowed to intensify their efforts to combat wildlife smuggling networks, ensuring the safety and conservation of endangered species. This recent seizure reinforces the critical role of vigilance by the customs and wildlife enforcement agencies in curbing illegal wildlife trade.