KOCHI: Two Japanese nationals were arrested on Sunday for attempting to smuggle live reptiles and insects through the Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery.
Murayi Yojka, 21, and Shibi Ottawa, 24, were arrested by officials of the Customs Department after CISF personnel detected reptiles and insects in their baggage during an inspection.
“They were carrying three small snakes, including one viper; scorpions; turtles; chameleons; spiders; lizards; earthworms; centipedes and beetles. The creatures were packed in plastic boxes and concealed in the baggage,” said a Customs official.
During interrogation, the foreigners said they were Zoology students, and that they had caught the reptiles and insects from the Athirappally forest for research purpose. According to them, they did not know that licence was required for transporting the species.
Dies in Accident
A 21-year-old youth died after the bike he was riding on crashed into the back of a truck on the NH bypass at Palarivattom here on Sunday. Anurag Gopinath of Poonam Veedu, Kadavantra, was heading for Vyttila from Palarivattom. The accident occurred while the bike was crossing Pipeline Junction around 4:30 pm, killing Anurag on the spot. His mother Vanaja, who was riding pillion, escaped unhurt. A case has been registered against the truck driver, who is now in police custody along with the truck. The truck bears a Tamil Nadu registration number.
Man Found Dead
A 47-year-old man was found dead on the railway track at Vaduthala on Sunday. The deceased, identified as Santhosh Kumar of Vaduthala, was spotted standing on the track around 2:00 am on Sunday by a Railways guard.
