Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 1 (ANI): The Customs Department and the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) thwarted an attempt to smuggle two different species of turtles and arrested multiple individuals involved, Chennai Customs officials said on Tuesday.

According to Chennai customs, the AIU seized 4,967 red-eared slider turtles and 19 albino red-eared slider turtles from two passengers who were arriving from Kuala Lumpur.

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In a post in X, the customs department said, "On 27.09.2024, Air Intelligence Unit, Chennai seized 4967 Nos. of Red Eared Slider Turtle & 19 Nos. of Albino Red Eared Slider Turtle from two pax. who arrived from Kuala Lumpur. Both passengers & receiver were arrested under the Customs Act, 1962."

https://x.com/ChennaiCustoms/status/1841121330080391634

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The endangered wildlife were attempted to be smuggled into India in contravention of Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

In another incident, the Chennai AIU team intercepted three passengers on August 18 trying to smuggle Indian star tortoises out of the country.

After the officials examined the baggage of the passengers, they found around seven hundred tortoises. The tortoises are protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

The three passengers trying to smuggle the tortoises out of India were subsequently arrested.

"On 16.08.24, Chennai AIU team intercepted 3 Pax departing to Kuala Lumpur. On examination of their baggage, 778 nos. of Indian Star Tortoises were found and seized under the Customs Act,1962 read with the Wild Life(Protection) Act,1972. All the Pax were arrested," said the customs department in a post in X.

Similarly, on August 10, the department seized multiple species of exotic animals from a passenger who arrived from Bangkok. (ANI)

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