Chennai: Air customs officials seized 400 live ornamental turtles from a passenger who arrived from Singapore on Sunday.
Rajesh, who arrived by a Jet Airways flight, attempted to pass through the green channel and told customs that he was not carrying anything that needed to be declared.
However, he was stopped by officials on suspicion. When his baggage was checked, officials found that he had concealed live ornamental turtles in it.
"Import of this variety of turtles is banned in India. It also requires special clearance from wildlife authorities. The contraband was seized as the passenger did not have any such document," said commissioner of customs (airport) R Periasami.
He also said that the turtles could not be let loose in the wild because they should not be imported. "We have to re-export them."
Sources said that the turtles are used as pets. "The turtles are put in fish tanks. They are tiny and do not grow big. So, they are popular as pets," said an official.
15/03/11 Times of India
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