Dhaka airport turns transit for wildlife trafficking

 Wildlife inspectors in Bangladesh suspect that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka has become a critical transit point for illegal wildlife trafficking across Asian countries. Within three days of recovering 305 turtles—comprising 285 Red-eared Slider Turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) and 20 Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina)—from the possession of a passenger arriving from China, the Forest Department and Customs House officials arrested an Indian citizen carrying four kilograms of peafowl (Pavo cristatus) nails at HSIA on December 6, 2024. Wildlife inspector Ashim Mallick suspects that Dhaka airport has turned into a significant hub for wildlife traffickers. During the latest operation, the authorities arrested Jakir Hossain from Kolkata, West Bengal. Carrying an Indian passport (number C3862034), he arrived in Dhaka on an Indigo airline flight. Wildlife inspector Ashim stated that Jakir was carrying four kilograms of bird nails disguised as ‘artificial’ cloth accessories and failed to declare the products during customs clearance.

Upon receiving information from customs officials, the Wildlife Crime Control Unit of the Forest Department recovered the nails from Jakir’s possession. He was later handed over to the police. During the preliminary inquiry, Jakir claimed that the product was intended for delivery in Dhaka’s Mirpur area. “However, we suspect that the nails were destined for China,” Ashim added. A case was filed against Jakir under the Special Powers Act, 1974, and Section 34(b) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012, at the Airport Police Station. According to the case statement, the market value of the nails is estimated to be approximately Tk 2.20 lakh. On December 3, a passenger arriving from China with 305 turtles was detained at HSIA. According to the Wildlife Crime Control Unit, Forest Department, and Customs House officials, the joint team seized the luggage of one Md Abul Kashem, 52, holding passport number A15306855. The authorities rescued 285 Red-eared Slider Turtles and 20 Snapping Turtles. Kashem was traveling via US-Bangla Airlines. Wildlife inspector Nargis Sultana confirmed the incident, stating that during interrogation, the detainee admitted to illegally transporting the 305 turtles, which weighed approximately six kilograms. He revealed that the turtles were intended for trafficking at high prices to other countries through Bangladesh. Kashem, the son of Md Kafur Ali Sardar, resides in Kurgaon, Ashulia, Mirjanagar, Dhaka. Another wildlife inspector, Ashim Mallick, reported that a case was filed against Kashem under Section 25-B(1)(b) of the Special Powers Act, 1974, and Section 34(b) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. A study titled Exploring Market-Based Wildlife Trade Dynamics in Bangladesh by Nasir Uddin and other researchers highlights the demand for Bangladeshi wildlife in several Asian countries, including Thailand, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. The research was published in November 2022 in a journal by Cambridge University Press.