Mumbai: Mumbai Customs Zone-III at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI) has foiled a wildlife smuggling attempt and arrested one passenger who had arrived from Bangkok.

According to Mumbai Customs, “On 08.08.2025, Customs Officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone-III foiled a wildlife smuggling attempt. The officers recovered Albino Red-eared Slider turtles, Marmosets and Kinkajou from one passenger returning from Bangkok. The passenger has been arrested.”

This latest action comes just days after major crackdowns on narcotics smuggling by the same zone.

On August 3, Mumbai Customs Zone-III seized 14.738 kilograms of suspected NDPS hydroponic weed (marijuana) valued at approximately Rs 14.73 crore during operations at CSMI Airport. One passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Similarly, between July 29 and 30, officers of the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III, acting on specific intelligence inputs, seized 8.012 kg of suspected hydroponic weed worth around Rs 8 crore in four separate cases, resulting in the arrest of four passengers.

In one key incident during this operation, Customs officers intercepted three passengers arriving from Bangkok on flight number VZ760. Upon inspection of their baggage, officials discovered 1.990 kg of suspected hydroponic marijuana concealed inside vacuum-sealed black and transparent plastic packets hidden in their trolley bags. The estimated market value of this consignment is around Rs 2 crore. The three passengers were arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.

With inputs from ANI