A Sri Lankan national was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on 2 July 2025 after authorities discovered three live ball pythons hidden in his underwear during a security search.
Thailand’s Wildlife Crime Intelligence Centre (WCIC) detained the suspect, identified only as “Shenan,” following a coordinated sting operation backed by both domestic and international agencies. Shenan had arrived in Bangkok from Colombo on 1 July and was preparing to depart when officials intervened.
According to WCIC Director Polwee Buchakiat, Shenan had been under surveillance after Thai wildlife protection units and foreign law enforcement flagged him as a repeat offender involved in trafficking various exotic animals, including wolves, meerkats, iguanas, and black cockatoos. He had previously been arrested in Sri Lanka in 2024 on similar charges.
On the evening of 2 July, Shenan checked in for his outbound flight and underwent routine x-ray screening. While his luggage showed no signs of contraband, a subsequent body search revealed three ball pythons (Python regius), a species protected under CITES Appendix II, concealed in his underwear.
He was taken into custody for violating Thai laws on wildlife exportation and customs regulations. The WCIC confirmed that this operation was supported by international partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wildlife Justice Commission, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Officials are continuing their investigation and are expected to press charges in accordance with Thailand’s Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act.
