Woman arrested for attempted smuggling of exotic snakes at BIA

By T.K.G. Kapila

Katunayake, September 12 (Daily Mirror) - A 40-year-old Sri Lankan woman was arrested by customs officers while attempting to smuggle six live exotic snakes into the country at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

The arrest was made by officers from the Narcotic Control Unit in collaboration with the Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Unit. The passenger had arrived from Bangkok via Chennai on IndiGo Airlines flight 6E1173, with the reptiles concealed in her checked-in luggage.

The seized snakes included:

• 1 Speckled Kingsnake
• 1 Yellow Anaconda
• 3 Honduran Milk Snakes
• 1 Ball Python

All species are listed under CITES Appendix II, reflecting strict international regulations due to risks from the exotic pet trade.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation provided technical support in species identification and safe handling, ensuring the reptiles were managed without harm. Authorities stressed that the seizure highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in combating illegal wildlife trafficking.

Investigations are ongoing, and legal action will be taken under the Customs Ordinance, the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, and the Animal Diseases Act.

Sri Lanka Customs reaffirmed its commitment to protecting biodiversity and preventing the country from being used as a hub for transnational wildlife trafficking.