The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Ornamental fish seized at airport

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Ornamental fish seized at airport

Special Correspondent

Packed in plastic bags with oxygen-injected water

CHENNAI: Officials of the Air Intelligence Unit, Customs at the Anna International airport seized 131 live ornamental fish from a passenger, who arrived from Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

C. Rajan, Commissioner of Customs (Airport), said the authorities on suspicion intercepted a passenger, Mohammed Thameem Ansari (33) of Adirampattinam, Thanjavur district. When questioned, the passenger stated that he was not carrying any dutiable items and his two suitcases contained personal belongings.

However, a check by the Customs officials revealed ornamental fish, packed in plastic bags with oxygen-injected water. Ansari informed the Customs officials that a stranger had met him at Kuala Lumpur airport and requested that two of his suitcases be booked in his (Ansari’s) name. Outside the Chennai airport someone would identify him and take the suitcases from him. For this work Ansari was offered Rs 2,000, Mr Rajan said.

Import of live ornamental fishes could be possible only after obtaining licence from Director General of Foreign Trade and a no-objection certificate from the State Fisheries Department.

The seized ornamental fishes were then handed over to the Vandalur Zoo authorities. The seized fish was valued at Rs 3 lakh, Mr Rajan added. Further investigation is on.

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