Six people arrested at Thailand airport for trying to take 87 animals, including red panda, as luggage

customs agent Six Indians arrested in Bangkok which was intended to travel to Bombay with 87 wild animals, including one red pandais intended for under the counterCustoms informed.

«We found animals, including 29 lizards black throat monitor, 21 snake, 15 birdsincluding parrots,” the source said. “In total, there were 87 animals hidden in suitcase“, Pure.

Photos released by Customs show a red panda, a endangered specie Native to the Himalayas and southwest China, inside a wicker basket closed with adhesive tape. The animals were discovered on Monday at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, the country’s largest.

Suspects could be sentenced to 10 years in prison or have to pay four times the amount of import duty.

Thailand is an important center for trafficking of wild species, which are usually destined for Vietnam and China, where they are used for traditional medicine. Illicit trade in India has increased significantly in recent years.

In late February, a Mongolian man was detained in Bangkok with snakes, Komodo dragons and turtles in his suitcase as he was about to board a plane to Ulaanbaatar.