Someone tried to smuggle dozens of animals on an intra-Asia flight, and it backfired…
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Dozens of animals found on VietJet flight
This incident happened on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, and involves a Thai VietJet Air flight from Bangkok (BKK) to Taipei (TPE). Specifically, it involves flight VZ564, which was operated by an Airbus A320, and departed at 3:15PM. At some point during the flight, panic erupted in the cabin, as both an albino rat and otter were spotted on the floor of the cabin.
The crew reportedly requested that the person who brought on the animals identify themselves, but initially no one did. However, eventually a woman did come forward, admitting she was the person who had brought the animals onboard. She reportedly wasn’t apologetic about it, but rather immediately requested a refund for her ticket.
When the plane landed in Taipei, police boarded the aircraft, and searched the passenger’s luggage, including the containers she had checked. In her checked luggage in the cargo hold, the airline found dozens of animals, including 28 turtles, two otters, two rodents, a snake, and a marmot.
It’s believed that the woman may have purchased the animals at a market in Thailand, and was looking to bring them home. However, the motive beyond that isn’t known.
Airport security staff in trouble for not catching animals
One logical question is how exactly the traveler managed to smuggle these animals onto the plane, especially those that were in the carry-on. CCTV footage shows that at around 1:45PM, the carry-on bag passed through an x-ray.
The bag had been pulled aside for further inspection, since one of the workers suspected that a prohibited item might be in the bag. However, the staffer responsible for searching the bag failed to do so, and allowed the bag to pass through.
The airport blames this on human error and a failure to follow procedures, and the staffers responsible for this mistake have been removed from duty immediately, and will face disciplinary and legal action. The airport is warning travelers that trying to smuggle live animals through security is illegal and can lead to jail time and a fine.
What happens to the animals?
So, what happens to all of these animals that are now in Taiwan? According to authorities, the turtles will remain in quarantine, while the other animals will go to Pingtung University of Science and Technology for examination, before being “disposed” of.
I mean, I suppose these animals being sold in markets in Thailand probably didn’t have much of a future anyway, but what a shame it is that this is what ends up happening. How cruel to transport animals this way, not to mention illegally import them into a foreign country.
Bottom line
While we occasionally hear stories of people trying to smuggle animals by plane, it’s almost never dozens of animals at a time. In this case, a traveler smuggled a couple of animals in the cabin, and then dozens of animals in the cargo hold. The animals got loose in the cabin, leading to all of the the traveler’s belongings being searched. No matter how you slice it, this isn’t a good situation…
What do you make of this animal smuggling case?
How could the airport staff miss so many animals...
Sounds like a security lapse for not scanning her carryon or checked bags. Clearly the scanners should have picked something up and investigated.
From what I read, the scanners have picked something up, but no one investigated.
Telling people smuggling animais is illegal is a pointless waste of resources that can be used elsewhere. People who do this (and it's not a one off) already knows it's illegal. Snakes and turtles already tells me they intend to sell them for stupid asian medicines which is very lucrative. I've seen them my whole life all around every Chinatown on the planet. Old asians need to be educated. I shame my family into fear...
Telling people smuggling animais is illegal is a pointless waste of resources that can be used elsewhere. People who do this (and it's not a one off) already knows it's illegal. Snakes and turtles already tells me they intend to sell them for stupid asian medicines which is very lucrative. I've seen them my whole life all around every Chinatown on the planet. Old asians need to be educated. I shame my family into fear of talking to me about this sort of thing so win win for me.
I mean Chinese medicine most of the time is very useful, but snakes and turtles are indeed extreme compared to fungus, herbs, and the plant stuff.
That poor animal (otter?) appears to be struggling and the first instinct of everyone around is to cower in fear? Then later they use their collective brain cells to decide to place it into a bag and seal it up real tight?
What a shame for these poor animals. Trafficking animals should have stiffer consequences.
I dont understand the hypocrisy of some of the people here. I agree that animal trafficking is a bad thing but how is it worse than actually eating animals? Why eating meat is not as frowned upon? In general I see this amongst meat eating people who have affection for animals which are not generally eaten but dont give a hoot before eating bacon. Everyone is entitled to their views but its just strange to me when you think about it.
You make a point.
What about having domesticated animals?
Rather than let animals roam free, you leash, cage, tank them and put them in a confined space you call their home.
Everyone is entitled to their views but its just strange to me when you think about it.
I don't eat much meat nor am I a vegan. It's my personal choice. When I decided to do so the one thing I made sure of was to not lecture others or point out this is cruel to animals or this is a hypocritical act because we are all hypocrites on a daily basis. Almost every vegan friend I have make a point of how this is bad for animals and why I shouldn't...
I don't eat much meat nor am I a vegan. It's my personal choice. When I decided to do so the one thing I made sure of was to not lecture others or point out this is cruel to animals or this is a hypocritical act because we are all hypocrites on a daily basis. Almost every vegan friend I have make a point of how this is bad for animals and why I shouldn't do this and animal fat will kill me. So I turned it around on them because I do a anti cancer diet and I pointed out all the things they were eating that wasn't organic and scorching the earth, vegan things they ate that was helping cancer grow etc. They didn't want to hear it. They were tired of it and I said now you know how everyone feels when you lecture them.
Yes we are all hypocrites on a daily basis.
Finally somebody who understands.
I can't think of many people worse than Animal smugglers. Absolutely appalling and they should be prosecuted.
I'm with you. These people are at the very bottom of the list.
Human smugglers? Child exploitation?!
Thailand probably modeled their training and staffing procedures from the very best, the TSA.
Mmm delicious, but no bats?
wow…did not know they like to eat bats in India
The smuggler should be sent back to Thailand in a suitcase.
The person who smuggles the animals should also be “disposed of”.
Americans would prefer
…rodents to migrants pouring into big cities.
The staff screening the passenger in BKK got already sacked and AOT issued a statement that the passenger’s luggage passed due to “human error and misunderstanding” — Thai-style face-saving excuses. Of course, Salim-Karen demands a refund…