Smugglers caught with juvenile Komodo dragon in underwear at South Korea airport

The suspects smuggled more than 1,800 exotic animals worth US$1.5 million from Thailand and Indonesia

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Customs authorities at Incheon airport thwarted a smuggling ring attempting to bring exotic animals into South Korea. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 3:00pm, 14 Nov 2024

A smuggling ring attempting to secretly bring endangered exotic species, including the Komodo dragon, into South Korea was apprehended by customs authorities. The group wrapped a young Komodo dragon, measuring about 50cm (19.6 inches), in cloth and concealed it in underwear. Baby snakes were also curled up and hidden in cigarette boxes.

Incheon Airport Customs announced on Thursday that 14 individuals, including suspects identified as A and B, were referred to prosecutors without detention for violating customs laws.

Since July 2022, these suspects are alleged to have smuggled 1,865 exotic animals, valued at around 1.9 billion won (US$1.5 million), from countries like Thailand and Indonesia.

The smuggled species included lizards, turtles, snakes, scorpions, and insects, some of which are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Among the animals were Komodo dragons, Burmese star tortoises, emerald tree boas and Yangtze alligators – rare species valued from millions to tens of millions of won each.

Incheon Airport Customs noted this was the first seizure of a Komodo dragon, which can grow over three metres (9.8 feet) as an adult, being smuggled into South Korea. The primary suspects recruited acquaintances as couriers, offering free overseas trips in exchange.

The smugglers concealed animals in various containers, such as underwear, instant noodle cups and cigarette packs to evade detection. The Komodo dragon was smuggled from Thailand by wrapping a 50–60cm juvenile in cloth and hiding it in underwear to bypass local inspections.