In a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs Department apprehended four individuals at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) for attempting to smuggle rare birds, reptiles, and mammals from Bangkok. This is the second such operation intercepted within four days.

The suspects—Manoj Kumar Rengaraj, Jayaraman Ramaraj from Tiruchirappalli, Anandan Kumaravel from Bengaluru’s J. P. Nagar, and Khamar Taj from Devanahalli—were allegedly working as couriers, receiving payments of ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 per trip along with free lodging and meals.

Investigators revealed that the trafficked animals were hidden inside checked-in baggage, carefully packed in cages. The accused were instructed to hand over the luggage to handlers outside the airport, using a prearranged code word for identification.

Among the rescued species were red-whiskered bulbuls, king bird-of-paradise, Sulawesi myna, albino pygmy dormouse, black-and-red broadbill, three iguanas, and four Indochinese box turtles. Authorities believe the smuggled wildlife was destined for private collectors and exotic pet enthusiasts.

Officials have intensified surveillance at KIA to curb the rising trend of wildlife trafficking. Further investigations are underway to trace the broader network behind the smuggling operation.