Mumbai, Jun 1 (PTI) An Indian who arrived at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport from Thailand was found to be carrying 48 highly venomous snakes and five turtles, an official said on Sunday.

Customs officials intercepted the passenger on Saturday night after he got down from a flight from Bangkok, he said.

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During a search of his baggage, the Customs officials discovered 48 highly venomous viper snakes and five turtles, he said.

A team from RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare) assisted in the identification and handling of these species, he said.

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The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has ordered that the reptiles be sent back to the country from where they had been brought, as per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, the official added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)