Indian Man Caught at Airport Smuggling Rare Wildlife in Luggage

On February 18, 2024, Khomkrit Pinsai, head of the Suvarnabhumi Airport Wildlife Checkpoint, reported a joint operation with customs and immigration officials that intercepted a wildlife smuggling attempt. At 23:13 on February 17, Mr. Naveen Kumar, a 38-year-old Indian national, was apprehended at gate C2A while preparing to travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Kolkata International Airport (CCU). Investigators discovered 15 live animals hidden in his luggage, including 1 macaque in a green plastic basket, 1 gibbon in 5 blue plastic baskets, and 13 water and plu turtles in 5 cloth bags. The suspect was charged under multiple wildlife protection, customs, and animal disease prevention laws and the case was referred to Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for further legal proceedings. The confiscated animals were handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Department for species identification and care.