CHENNAI: The Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs seized about 150 ornamental fishes brought by a passenger from Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
C. Rajan, Commissioner of Customs (Airport), said the authorities on suspicion intercepted the passenger M. Narayanan, who arrived by a Jet Airways flight.
The passenger said he was not carrying any dutiable items. Not satisfied with the answer, the authorities conducted a search on his baggage. His two suitcases had ornamental fishes such as Arowana, Red Flower Horn and Blue Parrot. Mr. Rajan said the fishes were valued at Rs.3.75 lakh. Interrogation revealed that a stranger asked the passenger to handover the suitcases to someone outside the airport for which he would be paid Rs.5,000. A licence had to be obtained from the Director-General of Foreign Trade to import live ornamental fishes apart from a clearance from the Animal Quarantine Department.
The seized fishes were handed over to Vandalur zoo officials.
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