Chennai: Customs officers on Sunday detained a man at Chennai International Airport for smuggling in exotic species - including rodents and lizards- from Thailand.
Based on a tip from an unknown source on endangered species being smuggled in, customs officers at the airport maintained an extra vigil to bust the culprits.
When the detained, Mohammed Moideen (28) from Chennai walked out of the airport in a suspicious way, customs officers intercepted him and took him for inquiry.
According to the Chennai Air Intelligence Unit, the seized animals consisted of a Red Squirrel, 12 Kangaroo Rats, three Prairie Dogs, and five Blue Lagoona - all of them endangered.
Officers said, the seized animals would be sent back to Thailand and the cost of transportation would be on the detainee.
READ: Coast Guard apprehends Myanmarese vessel with 6 crew members near Little Andaman Islands
