Malaysia rescues hundreds of tortoises from 'Ninja Turtle Gang'

Malaysia rescues hundreds of tortoises from ‘Ninja Turtle Gang’

/ 01:55 PM July 04, 2024

Malaysia rescues hundreds of tortoises from 'Ninja Turtle Gang'

Smuggled elongated tortoises | FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian authorities have rescued hundreds of smuggled tortoises meant for sale in Southeast Asia, disrupting an international crime ring called the “Ninja Turtle Gang”, a wildlife official said Thursday.

Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, wildlife and national parks department director-general, said 400 tortoises worth 3.8 million ringgit ($805,084) bound for the lucrative exotic pet trade were seized during an operation by the police and wildlife officials on Saturday.

Article continues after this advertisement

Across Asia, many believe that tortoises bring good luck and prosperity.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: Tortoises packed to look like chocolates in smuggling attempt at airport

“This is the biggest ever seizure in the past 10 years,” Abdul Kadir told AFP, adding that the reptiles were to be sold on to Thailand and Indonesia after local demand was met.

Article continues after this advertisement

He said the tortoises were believed to have been smuggled from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Article continues after this advertisement

The joint operation, codenamed “United National Resource”, crippled the tortoise smuggling ring known as the “Ninja Turtle Gang”, he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: 3,000 turtle eggs smuggled into Sabah seized

The operation involved a car chase in which the driver of a vehicle thought to be used in the smuggling was arrested.

Article continues after this advertisement

The driver subsequently led the enforcement officers to a location where rare three-keeled land turtles and Indian star tortoises were being kept.

Commercial trade in the Indian star tortoise was banned in 2019.

“The strategic location of Malaysia in Southeast Asia makes the country a hub for the smuggling of these exotic species,” Abdul Kadir said.

The tortoises are illegally brought into Malaysia by road or in suitcases by smugglers aboard commercial flights, he said.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Traffic, a wildlife NGO, has previously said that Southeast Asian countries “function as source, consumer and as entrepots for wildlife originating from within the region as well as the rest of the world”.

TAGS: Malaysia, Turtles

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.