Scammer
Banned
-- An alleged would-be smuggler was caught at a Thailand airport with dozens of rare wildlife -- including snakes, squirrels and tortoises -- stuffed into three suitcases, a wildlife monitoring organization says.
The Indonesian man, whose name was not released, was stopped at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Wednesday, according to a news release from Traffic, an organization that fights wildlife trafficking.
The man had purchased the wildlife at Bangkok's Chatuchak Market and was attempting to smuggle them out of the country, the organization said. He was stopped after a regular luggage scan revealed the animals.
According to the organization, the man carried 88 Indian star tortoises, 33 elongated tortoises, seven radiated tortoises, six mata mata turtles and four Southeast Asian narrow-headed softshell turtles. He also had three Aldabra tortoises, one pig-nosed turtle, and one ploughshare tortoise, which Traffic described as the world's rarest tortoise.
But that wasn't all that the man stuffed into his luggage. Authorities also found 34 ball pythons, two boa constrictors, several milk snakes, corn snakes and king snakes and one hog-nosed snake, Traffic says.
According to the organization, there also were 19 bearded dragon lizards, four spiny-tailed lizards, two Sudan plated lizards and six Argentine horned frogs.
And, to top it off, there were 18 baboon spiders, 22 common squirrels and one African grey parrot inside the suitcases, Traffic says.
"It speaks well of a few alert enforcement authorities when such seizures happen, said the organization's regional director, William Schaedla. "The airport authority is to be commended. However, one really has to question how Chatuchak Market, which is located just down the street from both wildlife protection and nature crime police offices, can continue these illegal mass sales."
Chatuchak Market is known for being a hub for the illegal trade of rare species, Traffic contends.
"Frankly, the situation is totally unacceptable in a country that claims to be effectively addressing illegal wildlife trade," Schaedla said.
The man, who was taken into custody, faces wildlife smuggling charges, the organization said.