New Delhi: In a joint operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Karnataka Forest Department have recovered 139 animals belonging to 48 different species, including 34 that were listed species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) from a farmhouse in Bengaluru, officials said.
In a statement, DRI mentioned that acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted three passengers including a lady passenger, who had arrived from Bangkok at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru on January 22. "An examination of their checked-in baggage resulted in the recovery of non-indigenous 18 animals (four primates and 14 reptiles) with the assistance of Karnataka Forest Department officials," the statement said.
Ten of these were also included in Appendix II of CITES; The import of wild animals (including their parts and products) as defined in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended from time to time) is prohibited and those species which are listed in CITES are subject to the provisions of CITES, the statement further read. All the passengers caught for smuggling animals were apprehended under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 by the DRI officials.