A smuggled juvenile Komodo dragon, left, and a snake hidden in a cigarette box. Photo courtesy of Incheon Airport Customs.

Customs authorities apprehended a smuggling ring attempting to secretly bring endangered exotic species, including a Komodo dragon, into Korea. The group had wrapped a young Komodo dragon, measuring about 50 centimeters, in cloth and concealed it within underwear. Additionally, baby snakes were curled up and hidden inside cigarette boxes.

Incheon Airport Customs announced, 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 approximately 1.9 billion won ($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 at millions to tens of millions of won each.

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

The smugglers used various containers, including underwear, instant noodle cups, and cigarette packs, to conceal the animals and evade detection. The Komodo dragon was smuggled from Thailand by wrapping a 50-60 centimeter juvenile in cloth and hiding it in underwear to bypass local inspections.

The smuggled animals were sold online or handed over to specialized reptile dealers for significant profit. For example, a Burmese star tortoise purchased in Thailand for about 300,000 won was resold in Korea for 4 million won, yielding a twelvefold profit.

One of the suspects, B, who operates an aquarium, smuggled three Komodo dragons with the intent of displaying them and even forged import documents to apply for legal import approval from the Ministry of Environment. This application was subsequently denied.

An Incheon Airport Customs official said, "The live animals seized, including two Komodo dragons, have been transferred to the National Institute of Ecology for protection. Smuggling exotic species disrupts ecosystems and poses a threat to public safety. We plan to intensify border controls to prevent such serious crimes."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.