Thai authorities raided a farm that was the alleged destination for a smuggled baby gorilla that was seized at an airport in Turkey.

The baby western lowland gorilla was found inside a small wooden crate at Istanbul Airport on December 22.

The animal was part of a cargo shipment being transported from Nigeria to Bangkok, Thailand.

Police Colonel Aphisan Chaiyarat led officers n December 25 as they stormed into the squalid warehouse in Nakhon Pathom that the gorilla was destined for.

Aphisan said that Istanbul Airport customs officers discovered the gorilla in a shipment of two wooden crates with an invoice declaring 50 rabbits.

However, when they opened it, they found the primate, prompting them to contact Thai authorities to verify whether the import had been authorised.

Thai authorities informed the customs that the shipment did not receive the permission, so the gorilla was seized and placed under veterinary care in Turkey.

Thai and Turkish authorities then coordinated their investigation, eventually identifying the recipient as the company, which led to the authorities conducting a search.

They met with the owner, who claimed that his company was involved in importing and exporting animals and plants, as well as distributing animals they bred, with a storefront at the notorious Chatuchak Weekend Market.

During the search of the farm, authorities found several controlled wildlife species, all with permits, including one live Moluccan cockatoo and two palm cockatoos, while others had already died.

Police Colonel Aphisan said: ‘We have seized the suspect phone to search for more evidence.

‘We will investigate further and co-ordinate with international authorities.'