A 32-year-old Canadian man was detained at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on January 6, 2025, after authorities discovered a crocodile skull in his possession. The arrest was made during a routine security check at Terminal 3, as confirmed by Customs officials.

The man was set to board Air Canada flight AC 051 back to Canada when security personnel uncovered the unusual item. Wrapped in a cream-colored cloth, the skull, resembling the jaw of a baby crocodile and weighing around 777 grams, was detected during the baggage screening process.

According to the Department of Forests and Wildlife (GNCTD), the skull is from a species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This classification indicates that the species is afforded the highest level of protection under Indian law, making the possession and transportation of such items illegal without proper authorization.

Following the discovery, the Canadian national was arrested under Section 104 of the Customs Act, 1962, which pertains to the illegal export of protected wildlife. The seized skull has been handed over to the Department of Forests and Wildlife (West Division, GNCTD) for further lab testing and examination.

A case has been registered, and a detailed investigation is underway to determine how the man acquired the skull and whether he was part of a larger wildlife smuggling operation.