Date:08/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100860021100.htm

Tamil Nadu

Ornamental fishes seized

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Customs Air Intelligence Unit seized live ornamental fishes worth over Rs.2.5 lakh at the Anna International Airport over the last three days.

On October 4, Customs officials examined an unclaimed bag lying near the conveyor belt that was bringing in bags of passengers who had arrived from Singapore by an Indian flight. They found 260 live ornamental fishes in polythene covers filled with water.

Their value was estimated at over Rs.1.95 lakh in the local market, according to a release.

In another incident on October 6, officers intercepted a passenger who had arrived in a Srilankan Airlines flight and was passing through the green channel.

He had arrived from Kuala Lumpur via Colombo. His baggage was found to contain 120 live ornamental fishes.

Their value was estimated at Rs.60,000.

The passenger involved in the second seizure was penalised and the fishes were ordered to be re-exported to the country of their origin, the release added.