CUSTOMS officers at Chennai International Airport have “intercepted” a female passenger, who was on a flight from Kuala Lumpur on Friday, after discovering snakes in her baggage, airport authorities said yesterday.

According to local media, 22 snakes of various species and a chameleon were packed into her check-in baggage in transparent plastic containers.

Customs officers subsequently seized the animals under the customs and wildlife protection laws.

Reptiles are among the species in high demand in the illegal wildlife trade in India and seizures at airports are common.

In January this year, 45 ball pythons, three marmosets, three star tortoises, and eight corn snakes were seized at Chennai from a passenger arriving from Thailand.

In October 2022, authorities seized 1,204 reptiles, according to an annual report of India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. – Bernama, April 30, 2023.