These bags were lying near the baggage belt in the arrival hall of the airport. As soon as the bag was opened, the people standing there screamed and there was an atmosphere of chaos for some time.
Chennai: The movement of flights to and from Chennai airport continued as usual. At around 10:45 pm, there is an announcement of the landing of flight FD-153 coming from Bangkok. Since it comes in the sensitive sector from the point of view of smuggling, the custom officials had taken their respective positions in the arrival hall.
The Customs Department has seized 45 ball pythons, three marmosets, three star tortoises, and eight corn snakes from two bags at Chennai airport.
(1/2) On 11.01.23, two un-attended bags found near baggage claim belt of a pax who arrived from Bangkok by FD-153 were examined by Customs.
On examination, 45-Ball Pythons, 3-Marmoset, 3-Star Tortoise and 8-Corn Snakes were recovered.
Further investigation is under progress. pic.twitter.com/JHxFwQbqxU
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— Chennai Customs (@ChennaiCustoms) January 16, 2023
The flight landed at the scheduled time and all the passengers started leaving the airport one by one. Then a custom officer’s eyes went to two bangs lying near the baggage belt. Earlier it was understood that some passenger must have left his bag and wandered here and there. Meanwhile, the luggage of the second flight had also started arriving on that baggage belt.
Even after waiting for some time, when no one came to take these two bags, then decided to open that bag. On going closer to the bag, it was found that a strange movement is happening inside the bag. After which, first of all it was ensured that there is no explosive inside the bag. On receipt of negative signal, the process of opening both the bags started.
As soon as the bag opened, the breath of all the people standing there got stuck in the throat. Snakes started coming out one by one from inside the bag. A total of 45 ball pythons and 8 corn snakes came out of the bag. This series did not end here. When the bag was searched, 3-marmoset and 3-star tortoise were also recovered from inside it.
According to the senior customs official, during investigation, it was found that both these bags had reached Chennai airport from Bangkok by FD-153. Due to the vigilance of the customs at the airport, a passenger left both these bags unattended near the baggage belt. On the orders of the Department of Animal Quarantine and Certification Services, these wild animals have been deported to Bangkok by flight number FD-154.
