An Indian Red Sand Boa, a protected snake species, was seized today and a 20-year-old youth who allegedly tried to transport it was detained here, a forest official said.
A police team during vehicle check at Villivoyal Chavadi check post at Manali New Town found K Subash carrying a cover on his motorcycle which had a Sand Boa in it. He was handed over to forest officials alongwith the snake.
"He is a student and a resident of North Chennai. He claims that he was unaware of the contents of the cover," a forest official investigating the case said.
Subash told investigators that he acted only as a "courier" and was not aware of "anything more".
Indian Sand Boa falls under schedule four of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and is protected.
Probe is on in the case and appropriate action would be taken against the youth, the forest official said, adding, the reptile will be released in the wild.
