TN man brings snakes, white rats, lizards from Malaysia

Snakes, white rats and lizards were seized from a passenger who arrived here from Malaysia today, airport officials said.

The reptiles were later handed over to Forest authorities.

Habeeb, a 44-year old native of Ramanathapuram district had arrived here from Kuala Lumpur in a Malaysian Airlies flight early this morning.

During the routine baggage check, shocked customs officials found snakes, white rats and lizards (Onan in Tamil) -- four in each of the species.

Habeeb told customs officials he had brought them to "rear the species at home."

He has been detained for questioning.