Indian Man Caught Smuggling 15 Rare Wildlife Animals, Including Gibbons and Turtles

On February 18, 2024, Khomkrit Pinsai, head of Suvarnabhumi Airport Wildlife Checkpoint, reported a joint operation with customs and immigration officials that intercepted Mr. Naveen Kumar, a 38-year-old Indian national, at the airport. During a baggage inspection, officers discovered 15 live animals: 1 gibbon in a green plastic basket, 1 gibbon in five blue plastic baskets, and 13 Pulau and water turtles in five cloth bags. The animals were hidden in a gray wheeled suitcase (tag 0217 TG 814495). The suspect was charged under multiple wildlife, customs, and animal disease prevention laws and referred to Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for legal proceedings. The confiscated wildlife was transferred to the Wildlife Conservation Office for species identification and further investigation.