THE HINDU (Channai, India) 27 October 07 550 star tortoises seized from passenger
Chennai (PTI): A total of 550 star tortoises, worth about Rs 4.77 lakh in the international market, were seized by Customs officials from a Kuala Lumpur bound passenger at the airport here on Friday night.
The seizure comprised 200 big tortoises and 355 small sized ones.
A Customs press release said they intercepted the 51-year-old passenger, after he had completed check in and immigration and was proceeding for security check.
Their suspicions were aroused after he gave unconvincing replies on being asked about the contents of his luggage, which comprised one suitcase and a checked in baggage.
The officials found that the security strap of the zipper suitcase had been tampered with. A search revealed four cloth bags, each containing 50 big tortoises. The small sized tortoises were found kept in two perforated plastic containers, the release said.
This is the second such case booked by Chennai Customs, the earlier one being for attempting to smuggle 333 star tortoises to Kuala Lumpur, the release said.
550 star tortoises seized from passenger