Smuggler With 235 Star Tortoises Bound For KL Arrested

Chennai: A Sri Lankan air passenger carrying 235 live star tortoises in his baggage from Chennai enroute to Kuala Lumpur via Colombo was detained at the city's airport yesterday.
Chennai Airport Air Intelligence Unit intercepted the suspect, Mohamed Mohideen Mohamed Murshit, after a tip-off and found the wildlife stock consigned to an unknown buyer in Malaysia.
"We detained him after a tip-off and discovered 235 live tortoises hidden in his baggage. The passenger and the tortoises have been handed over to the wildlife authorities," Commissioner of Customs (Airport) C. Rajan told Bernama.
He said the 26-year-old passenger, who was about to board a Sri Lankan Airline, admitted to the authorities he was merely a carrier but did not divulge further details.
The wildlife stock was valued at about RM30,000.
17/05/08 P.Vijian/Bernama

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Categories: Airports May 2008