CHENNAI: The Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs Department foiled an attempt to smuggle 210 Indian star tortoises to the Southeast Asian nations and detained two Indians at the Chennai International Airport.
A statement from the Chennai Commissionerate, AIU said, Satur Ali (33) and Mohamed Thamin (27), who were about to board the Thai Airways flight on Sunday evening, were detained at the departure terminal on suspicion that they were carrying a contraband of prohibited wild animals.
During examination, sweet boxes were found stuffed with chocolates. On removing the chocolates, plastic boxes were spotted, which had 210 tortoises. Export of star tortoises is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 as it is protected under Schedule IV of the Wild Life Protection Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).