Indian customs officials are sending back to Malaysia the exotic snakes and lizards seized from two airline passengers arriving from Kuala Lumpur.

The Customs Air Intelligence Unit said on Thursday they foiled an attempt to smuggle seven reptiles in their luggage at Chennai International Airport in violation of rules.

A team of veterinary doctors inspected the reptiles and found them to be healthy.

The airport's animal quarantine officials recommended for the wildlife species to be sent "back to the country of origin" as the passengers did not have any permission for importing them into India.

They include one green tree python, one scrub python, and five endangered species of lizards.

The passengers told the customs officials that they were supposed to hand over the bag carrying the exotic wildlife to an unknown person outside Chennai airport.

"Both the passengers were detained. The seized reptiles, being exotic species, will be sent back to Kuala Lumpur," the customs department said in a statement.

- Bernama