Two Indian women were arrested at Bangkok International Airport as they were about to board a flight with more than 100 live animals in their suitcases including snakes, turtles and armadillos, Thai protection officers said on Tuesday. from wildlife.
The kingdom is a notorious hub for wildlife trafficking, usually to major markets like Vietnam or China, where they are used in traditional medicine.
Wildlife officers discovered two armadillos, two porcupines, 20 snakes, 35 turtles and 50 chameleons stuffed into the two luggage belonging to the passengers.
Two dead iguanas were also found while all the hidden reptiles suffered from dehydration, according to a Facebook post from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Flora.
The animals were discovered when Nithya Raja, 38, and Zakia Sulthana, 24, passed X-ray machines at Suvarnabhumi Airport overnight from Sunday to Monday, authorities said.
They were to embark for Chennai, India.
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$5600 estimated
"
This kind of case has happened many times before because these animals fetch high prices in India
," Sathon Konggoen, head of the wildlife inspection office in Suvarnabhumi, told AFP.
He estimated the market value of these animals, which are believed to have been bred in Thailand, at around $5,600.
“
Animal trafficking is usually detected at the Thailand-Myanmar borders and on domestic flights
,” he added.
The animals, once cared for, will be moved to an animal center or breeding center, the department added.
The two women were charged with offenses under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act, the Animal Epidemics Act and the Customs Act.
They are currently being held in a police station at the airport, pending legal action.
