Hundreds of Exotic Species Seized in Chennai

Customs officials at Chennai International Airport seized 22 exotic animals, including a siamang gibbon, two sunda flying lemurs, and various turtles and pythons, from Mohamed Meera Sardharali, who arrived from Bangkok. Sardharali's arrest led to the capture of Mohammed Idris and the discovery of hundreds of smuggled native and exotic species at a house linked to a dismissed police constable, S Ravi Kumar. The seized animals were handed over to airlines for deportation, and the investigation exposed a significant animal trafficking ring. This incident marks the first time many of these species were smuggled into India, indicating a shift in illegal pet trade preferences. Both suspects were detained under the Customs Act and Wildlife Protection Act, and further investigations are ongoing.