Peacock feathers worth Rs 7.39 lakh seized from passenger

Kochi: Peacock feathers weighing 29.8 kg and valued at Rs 7.39 lakh in the international market were seized by customs officials from a Singapore bound passenger at the airport Tuesday.

The feathers were found concealed inside towels in the checked in baggage of the man, hailing from Chennai, just as he was about to board the flight early this morning, a customs press release said.

An amount of Rs 1.25 lakh carried by the passenger was also seized under FEMA.

The passenger was being questioned and had not yet been arrested, customs sources said.

Export of Peacock feathers is prohibited under the Exim policy of the Government of India and is banned under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.