An Indian man has been arrested at Thailand’s main airport who is trying to smuggle living creatures including white and raccoon foxes, Wednesday officials said. The Kingdom of Southeast Asia is the main transit center for wildlife smuggling – who often sells the animals to China and Vietnam – although in recent months have seen an increase in trade to India.
Abilash Annaduri, 21, was found with 17 living things from six species, the Department of Thailand National Park, wildlife conservation and plants said in a statement. It is said that the results of the transportation include the white desert fox, raccoon, two iguanas and a pair of white pythons – as well as three monitors and eight marmoset monkeys.
All animals were found in a plastic basket, hidden under snacks and packed in the trunk, when he passed the X-ray machine at Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok Tuesday night on his way to Chennai. “The Thai authorities arrested a man who tried to smuggle animals to India,” said Prasert SsSsSATORNKUL, a division director at the Conservation Department, added that he had recorded an increase in trade to India.
Officials estimate that the creature will be worth around 98,000 baht ($ 2,760). But they were confused how the animals came to Thailand. We cannot find microchips in these animals so we don’t know where they came from,” Prasert said. Annaduri has been charged with smuggling wildlife and detained to be questioned by the police. Saved animals are sent for medical examinations.