NEW DELHI: An attempt to smuggle more than 5,000 red-eared slider turtles from Malaysia was foiled by Indian customs officials at Chennai Airport.
Two passengers, who arrived with the exotic wildlife species on a flight from Malaysia, were arrested on Tuesday along with those waiting to receive the smuggled cargo.
The authorities sent the 5,193 turtles back to Malaysia the same day, the Chennai customs department said on Thursday.
Chennai Airport has seen many seizures of rare species.
India’s pet market has fuelled demand for the illegal trade in wildlife from Southeast Asia.