Multi-Crore Drug Bust and Exotic Wildlife Rescue: Mumbai Customs Foils Major Smuggling Bids

Mumbai, October 12, 2025 – In a significant victory against international smuggling rackets, Mumbai Customs at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) have successfully intercepted narcotics valued at over Rs 44 crores and rescued a shocking haul of exotic, protected wildlife, all within a four-day operation spanning October 8 to 11.

The crackdown, carried out by officials under Mumbai Customs Zone III, highlights the relentless attempts by smugglers to use India’s financial capital as a gateway for illicit goods, and the dedication of Customs officers in preventing these crimes.

$44 Crore Drug Haul Hidden in Trolley Bags

In a series of seven distinct narcotics cases, Customs officials seized nearly 50 kg of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana). The drugs, which have an estimated illicit market value of over Rs 44 crores, were recovered from multiple international passengers arriving from popular foreign destinations, including Phuket, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur.

The sheer volume and the systematic concealment of the narcotics underscore the sophistication of the smuggling networks. “In all these cases, the drugs were carefully concealed in checked-in trolley bags,” an official stated.

The individual seizures paint a picture of the large-scale operation:

• Rs 11.519 crore worth of drugs (11.519 kg) seized from a passenger arriving from Phuket.
• Rs 9.842 crore worth of drugs (9.842 kg) smuggled from Bangkok.
• Other cases included seizures of 2.017 kg, 2.003 kg, Rs 8.87 crore worth of drugs, and two separate hauls valued at Rs 8 crore and Rs 1.761 crore.

Several individuals have been arrested under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the Customs Act, 1962.

Heartbreaking Rescue: Live Exotic Wildlife Hidden in Luggage

In a separate, but equally alarming incident, Customs officials intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok and made a heartbreaking discovery: a cache of live, exotic animals concealed inside their luggage.

The haul represented a tragic picture of the global illegal wildlife trade, which often subjects animals to cruel conditions. The rescued species are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and included:

• 17 Green Iguanas
• 11 Bearded Dragons
• 7 Honduran Milk Snakes
• 3 Rainbow Boas
• 2 Aldabra Giant Tortoises (juveniles)
• 3 Blue-Tongued Skinks
• 5 Pacman Frogs, 2 Tarantulas, and a Common Cuscus

The passenger was immediately arrested, and the rescued animals will now be subject to care and rehabilitation, marking a small victory for global conservation efforts.

The Mumbai Customs Zone III’s successful operation, which detected a total of seven narcotics cases and one wildlife smuggling case, is a strong deterrent to international criminals and a testament to the vigilance required at India’s major transport hubs. The investigation is currently ongoing.