According to anti-wildlife trafficking NGO Traffic, the duo was said to be boarding a flight to Kuala Lumpur but was intercepted by quarantine officials who had spotted something fishy during X-ray scans of their luggage.

When officers opened up their luggage, they stumbled upon seven pythons, seven lizards and nine frogs.

Among the seven pythons was the Green Tree Python, listed as a protected wild animal in Indonesia and also listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The duo was handed over to wildlife authorities for further investigations as they did not possess the required documentations for the confiscated animals.

Traffic Regional Director in Southeast Asia Dr Chris R Shepherd said the measures taken by Indonesia was essential in protecting its diverse wildlife.

“Indonesia, with its amazing diversity of reptiles and amphibians, remains a major target for smugglers and illicit wildlife dealers and we urge authorities to maintain their vigilance,” he said.

He had also called for Indonesia and Malaysia to take a collective stance regarding the issue, in order to tackle the worsening incidence of wildlife smuggling between the two countries.