Nearly 5,000 rare turtle seized at Chennai airport, two held

Chennai: Officials of the Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) have seized nearly 5,000 exotic wildlife species from two passengers who arrived from Kuala Lumpur in an Indigo Flight at the Anna International airport and arrested them.

A PIB release here said the Customs AIU officials seized Red Eared Slider Turtle and Albino Red eared slider.

On the basis of specific intelligence, the officials intercepted two male passengers, who had arrived from Kuala Lumpur.

Intelligence revealed that exotic wildlife species were being carried by the passengers for smuggling into India.

Around 5000 #Red_eared_slider_turtles smuggled from Malaysia by two smugglers were seized at Chennai International Airport. Among them, 12 were found dead and 19 belonged to the Albino red-eared slider turtle category. Read more at https://t.co/8iQyknHA60 pic.twitter.com/B3B5kfa5tr

— South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (@SAWENsec) October 1, 2024

On examination of their baggage, the officials detected 4,967 Nos.of small green turtles and 19 Nos. Pale/Yellow turtles.

The Authorities from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau arrived at the Airport to examine the wildlife species, which were identified and certified as Red eared slider Turtle (4,967 Nos.) and Albino Red eared slider turtle (19 Nos.)

In a swift follow-up action, the officials caught hold of the person waiting to receive the smuggled exotic wildlife species who was apprehended for the further investigation.

Both the passenger and the receiver were arrested under Customs Act, 1962.

Further investigation is under progress in these cases.