Passengers were arrested after trying to board a plane with a crocodile skull in their luggage

Authorities have arrested a man at an airport in India after he was caught trying to take a crocodile skull with him.

Delhi Customs says the statement on X that the 32-year-old man was “intercepted” during a security check at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) before his flight from New Delhi to Canada on Monday, January 6.

Authorities initially found that the man, whose identity has not been released, was carrying a “skull with sharp teeth … wrapped in a cream-colored cloth.” They specified that it resembled “the jaw of a baby crocodile” and weighed about 2 pounds.

The Forest and Wildlife Department (GNCTD) later sent the skull for forensic examination, which confirmed that it was indeed that of a baby crocodile, an animal protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (WLPA).

The organization reached its conclusion based on “the texture of the skull, the pattern of the teeth, the well-developed bony palate” and the shape of his “nostrils”.

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The man was subsequently arrested for illegal possession, attempted export of “protected wildlife items” and violation of the Customs Act, 1962, which prohibits mis-declaration, illegal export and smuggling of such items, Delhi Customs said.

“This incident shows serious violation of wildlife laws and customs laws,” Delhi Customs wrote. “Collaboration between the Customs and Forest Departments is crucial to ensure that such protected wildlife sites are not smuggled.”

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The crocodile skull was later handed over to the Department of Forests and Wildlife “for laboratory studies”. A “further investigation” has also been opened into the incident, Delhi Customs added.

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“India is among the top ten countries that use the air transport sector the most for wildlife trade,” said Atul Baghai, former head of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in India, per CNN. “This is an unwanted reward.”

Such incidents have prompted India, as well as other countries such as Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, to combat wildlife trafficking by working together to share criminal information in recent years. Hindu reported

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