X-ray registers 109 live animals in the luggage of women at the airport

This is yet another regrettable case of imprisonment for animal trafficking, which happened in Bangkok, the most populous city in Thailand. In this case, the animals were hidden in the luggage of two Indian women, Nithya Raja, 38, and Sulthana Ebrahim, 24. But what really caught the attention of this story is the impressive number of 109 animals inside two suitcases.

Furthermore, all these animals were wild, and some even belonged to endangered species.

Read more: Law enforcement officers and hackers team up to fight cybercrime.

50 lizards in suitcases

It is not known for sure which contacts these women would have within Thailand and what would be the final destination of these animals. However, staff at the Bangkok airport were able to quickly act once they realized it was a case of smuggling. Shortly after the X-ray detected the strange contents in the bags, the authorities were called and carried out the inspection.

suitcase x-ray

Then came the big surprise, as the two suitcases were full of animals still alive, which would be sold on Thai soil. In all there were fifty lizards, two white porcupines, two armadillos, thirty-five turtles and 20 snakes. They are, therefore, animals native to India and considered rare. On that occasion, the two women were accused of violating the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.

Animal trafficking is a big problem in Thailand.

Over the past few decades, animal advocates in Thailand have worked to stop the recurring trafficking in the country. There are several cases of records like this, which the authorities frequently catch in airports, roads and train stations. However, not all managed to attract as much attention as this one, given the number of live animals in suitcases.

However, this story fits within the history of transport and sale of rare and exotic animals. It is, therefore, a millionaire market that drives many criminals to risk their lives in these illegal missions.