So, picture this: you’re at Mumbai airport, mentally preparing your speech for the customs guy because yes, you do need that extra-large Toblerone. Suddenly, the aunt ahead isn’t unpacking duty-free loot, she’s watching in horror as a bunch of chocolate boxes spill out… SNAKES! No, not a rejected Rohit Shetty script, this happened. And trust us, airport adventures just got a lot more wild (and wiggly).

Man found with snakes hidden in chocolate boxes at Mumbai airport

1. The Sweet Surprise That Wasn’t So Sweet
When your sweet tooth leads to a slithery surprise! A man flying in from Bangkok thought he could hide nine ball pythons and two corn snakes in chocolate and biscuit packets at Mumbai airport. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) pulled a full “Kya chocolate, kya scene hai?!” moment when they found the reptiles hiding among chocolates. Safe to say, these were NOT the kind of snacks customs officers were expecting.

2. Not Your Average Airport Haul
Forget duty-free perfumes; exotic reptiles are the new contraband! Turns out, this isn’t a one-time freak show. In June 2025, another dude tried to sneak 47 venomous vipers and rare reptiles through Mumbai airport. And that’s not even the full collection, think exotic turtles and baby monkeys in suspicious suitcases. At this point, airport security probably expects Jumanji every Monday morning.

3. The Dark World of Wildlife Smuggling
Smuggling snakes isn’t just hiss-terical; it’s a serious offense! Under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, and strictly enforced by the Customs Act 1962, smuggling these slithery (or feathery, or furry) creatures could land you in jail with hefty fines to sweeten the misery. Law enforcement isn’t playing, think less “catch and release,” more “catch and pay.” Not everything you find in Bangkok should become your Mumbai housemate, seriously.

4. Why Exotic Pets Are a No-Go
Your Instagram feed doesn’t need a snake; your conscience doesn’t need the guilt! These animals aren’t just misplaced souvenirs; they often carry diseases and hate adapting to Indian homes (sorry, snakes aren’t into chai breaks). Plus, wanting a ‘show-off pet’ fuels a black market that’s bad news for endangered species. Adopt a street dog instead, boss, it’ll love you more and need less humidity control.

5. How You Can Help Stop This Slithery Business
Be a hero, not a villain; say no to illegal wildlife trade! It’s super simple, don’t buy exotic pets, ever. If you see something shady at the airport (or online), report it to the authorities. You can even back wildlife protection orgs doing solid groundwork. Remember: Banna hai toh Simba bano, Scar nahi.