6 Exotic Lizards Seized at Visakhapatnam Airport, 2 Arrested

The agency confirmed that the seized lizards were sent back to Thailand.

Visakhapatnam:

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested two persons who tried to smuggle six live eastern blue-tongued lizards from Thailand at the Visakhapatnam International Airport, officials said on Wednesday.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials caught the duo coming from Bangkok. According to the statement published by the agency, a search of their luggage revealed exotic reptiles hidden in cake packages.

The statement said, “During the interrogation and examination of passenger luggage, 6 live exotic animals were found hidden inside cake packages.”

The duo was arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

DRI emphasized that the EXIM (export and import) policy prohibits the import of live animals listed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, without a valid license from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

The agency confirmed that the seized lizards were sent back to Thailand.

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