109 live animals found in Thai woman’s luggage

Two Indian women have been caught at Bangkok’s main airport after allegedly trying to smuggle 109 live animals, including snakes, armadillos, porcupines and turtles, in their luggage.

Thailand’s Ministry of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said the wild find was made at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday, where an X-ray machine detected suspicious items inside two suitcases.

When security officers opened the bag, they found 50 lizards, 20 snakes, two white porcupines, two armadillos and 35 turtles.

The luggage containing the creepy contraband belonged to Nithya Raja, 38, and Zakia Sulthana Ebrahim, 24, who were on their way to the Indian city of Chennai, Thai authorities told the Bangkok Post.

An X-ray machine at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport found 109 live animals in the suitcases of two women.
National Parks Authority of Thailand
This is one of two armadillos rescued from a traveller's luggage in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday.
This is one of two armadillos rescued from a traveller’s luggage in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday.
National Parks Authority of Thailand
Thai wildlife officials were called to the airport to deal with live contraband, including 35 sea turtles.
Thai wildlife officials were called to the airport to deal with live contraband, including 35 sea turtles.
National Parks Authority of Thailand
Two women traveling to Chennai, India, have been detained and charged with violating multiple laws related to animal smuggling. Pictured: White porcupine.
Two women traveling to Chennai, India, have been detained and charged with violating multiple laws related to animal smuggling. Pictured: White porcupine.
National Parks Authority of Thailand

Both women were detained and charged with violating the country’s Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act 2019, Animal Disease Act 2015 and Customs Act 2017.

The agency did not say what the suspect planned to do with the critters once they reached their destination, nor what happened to the animals after they were rescued from cramped suitcases.

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