623 star tortoises seized, one arrested

Chennai, Dec 28 (UNI) As many as 623 live star tortoises, worth Rs five lakh in the international market, were seized from a passenger of the Chennai-Colombo Sri Lankan Airlines at the Anna International airport here, last night.

Airport sources here said that during routine Customs check, the authorities checked the baggage of one Ahmed Siraj (23) of Ilayangudi in Ramanathapuram district and found the reptiles. Siraj was bound for Bangkok via Colombo.

A case was registered under the Customs Act. Siraj was arrested and the tortoises were handed over to the forest officials.

UNI