BANGKOK — Indian customs arrested a passenger flying from Thailand after discovering venomous vipers and turtles hidden in their luggage, highlighting a disturbing rise in wildlife trafficking linked to the exotic pet trade, an NGO reports.

Among the animals seized were spider-tailed horned vipers, a rare and near-threatened species. According to conservation group Traffic, over 7,000 animals have been intercepted along the Thailand–India air route in the past 3.5 years, with most seizures occurring in India.

The group warns the demand for exotic pets is fueling the illegal trade and calls for stronger action against trafficking networks, urging Thailand to coordinate with neighboring countries to tackle the smuggling pipeline.