Russian Passenger Stopped at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport With Barasingha Antler, Wildlife Probe Begins

A major security alert was triggered at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi after a foreign national was found carrying a barasingha (swamp deer) antler in his luggage.

The passenger, identified as Russian citizen Dmitry Brekin, was scheduled to travel to Bangkok on an Air India Express flight when the suspicious item was detected during routine security screening. Officials immediately alerted security agencies, following which his journey was cancelled.

The antler was seized, and the matter was handed over to forest department authorities for further investigation. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, the possession and transportation of such wildlife parts are strictly prohibited.

Authorities are now investigating how the antler came into the possession of the passenger and whether the case is linked to any illegal wildlife trade network. Officials have not ruled out the possibility of an international smuggling angle.