Poisonous snakes, Cobras, Pythons, Crocodiles recovered from passenger's baggage at B'luru Airport
Bengaluru: A significant operation at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) resulted in the rescue of more than 230 reptiles, including cobras, crocodiles, tortoises, and lizards, as Bengaluru Customs sleuths intercepted a wildlife smuggler on Monday night.
The successful operation follows the arrest of the smuggler, who was attempting to transport these creatures alive in two suitcases, according to sources from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs.
The incident came to light when the 22-year-old smuggler from Ramnad in Tamil Nadu arrived on a Thai AirAsia flight FD 137 from Bangkok. Acting on suspicions, Customs officials detained and questioned the individual, leading them to discover the smuggled reptiles concealed within his suitcases. The seized creatures comprised poisonous snakes, lizards, and even small crocodiles.
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Among the rescued reptiles were four caimans, nearly 30 iguanas, four monocled cobras, pythons, tortoises, and lizards. The investigation also revealed the tragic fate of a young kangaroo or "joey" that had been hidden within one of the containers, ultimately succumbing to suffocation during transit.
"These wildlife smugglers introduce foreign species like the monocled cobras, originating from Thailand, which could disrupt the local reptile ecosystem if released into the wild," noted a wildlife expert.
The apprehended smuggler has been arrested under section 104 of the Customs Act and has been remanded in judicial custody. Further investigations are underway to determine his connections in Bengaluru and identify potential recipients of the smuggled reptiles.
The rescued animals were repatriated to Thailand on Tuesday night to ensure their safety and appropriate habitat.
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4th T20I: Brilliant Samson, magnificent Tilak score tons, India post mammoth 283/1 against SA
Johannesburg, Nov 15: Sanju Samson's precision met its match in Tilak Varma's muscular elegance as India toyed with South African bowling attack to post an imposing 283 for 1 in the fourth and final T20 International here on Friday.
This is by far India's highest T20I total overseas and highest by any country on South African soil.
Among the plethora of records that tumbled, the most special one will be two Indian batters scoring centuries in same T20I innings. Samson and Varma also posted the highest partnership for India in T20 Internationals --- 210 off just 93 balls for the second wicket.
Samson (109 not out off 56 balls), who smashed a superb century in the first game, once again pummelled the Proteas in company of Varma (120 not out off 47 balls) who has really come into his own with new found confidence and vigour at number three.
Samson now has three T20I tons in the last five knocks which also included two ducks while Varma has scored back-to-back T20I tons.
Samson completed his ton in 51 balls while Varma's (41 balls) took 10 balls less.
Abhishek Sharma (36 off 18 balls) should also get his share of credit for upping the ante in the Powerplay with four huge sixes.
On a good batting track with true bounce on offer, Indian batters hit a record 23 sixes as it was possible to hit through the line by just clearing one's front leg. Samson's nine maximums was one less than Varma's 10.
It only helped India that the opposition's best fast bowler Gerald Coetzee seemed to be carrying a niggle. The two medium pacers Andile Simelane (0/47 in 3 overs) and Lutho Sipamla (1/58 in 4 overs) seemed like lambs for slaughter. The Indians hit 10 sixes from Simelane and Sipamla.
By the time Coetzee was brought by skipper Aiden Markram for his second spell, the damage was done. Such was the nervousness of South African bowlers that they bowled 17 wides in trying to check the momentum.
They didn't vary the pace and pitched it on length as Samson and Varma were severe, either hitting them inside out over extra cover or at times straight down the ground.
Even Keshav Maharaj and Tristan Stubbs were not left unpunished as there was everything on the platter -- cuts, pulls, slog sweeps, reverse sweeps. There wasn't a single corner of the ground that didn't feel the power of strokes from the two Indians.
In fact one of Samson's shots hit a lady spectator's cheek. The TV cameras caught her sobbing in considerable pain.
Samson was more muscle as he would slightly shuffle towards leg-stump and loft the length balls while the silken Varma would make a mockery of spinners with uppish sweep shots, stand and deliver down the ground hits.
They slowed down a touch nearing their milestones but by then they had done enough to deflate the Proteas.
