Four men are arrested after being caught smuggling over 5,000 baby turtles

Four men are arrested after being caught smuggling over 5,000 live baby turtles and 30lbs of drugs into Malaysia inside their luggage

  • Agents discovered the red-ear slider turtles in the hand luggage of two men 
  • The men claimed they had eventually intended to sell the turtles as pets in India 
  • Border guards also discovered 30lbs of methamphetamine in their luggage

Malaysia authorities have arrested four Indians and seized more than 30lbs of drugs and over 5,000 turtles from their luggage at the Kuala Lumpur airport.

Senior customs official Zulkurnain Mohamed Yusof said Wednesday that agents found a total 5,255 red-ear slider baby turtles kept in small baskets from the luggage of two Indian nationals who flew in from Guangzhou, China on an AirAsia flight on June 20.

He said the men had no permits for the turtles and told investigators that the terrapins, estimated to be worth $12,700, were meant to be sold as pets in India.

Senior Customs Official Zulkurnain Mohamed Yusuf and his officers hold some of the seized turtles

The turtles are displayed during a press conference at Custom Cargo Complex near KLIA airport in Sepang

The turtles are displayed during a press conference at Custom Cargo Complex near KLIA airport in Sepang

The men, aged 30 and 42, are expected to be charged and could face up to five years in jail and a fine, he said.

The red-ear sliders are one of the world’s most commonly traded turtles meant for the pet and meat markets. Permits are required as young turtles are susceptible to carrying salmonella and pose health concerns.

Separately, Zulkarnain said officials also found a total of 30 lbs of methamphetamine worth 717,000 ringgit ($174,000), hidden in special compartments in boxes that were hand-carried by two men.

One of them flew in from Hyderabad, India on June 19 and another on June 20 from Bengaluru, he said in a statement.

The men, both aged 30 and believed to be drug mules, are expected to be charged and face the death penalty if convicted.

Officials also found a total of 14.34 kilograms of methamphetamine worth 717,000 ringgit ($174,000)

Officials also found a total of 14.34 kilograms of methamphetamine worth 717,000 ringgit ($174,000)

The contraband was hidden in special compartments in boxes that were hand-carried by two men

The contraband was hidden in special compartments in boxes that were hand-carried by two men

The men had no permits for the turtles and told investigators that the terrapins, estimated to be worth $12,700, were meant to be sold as pets in India

The men had no permits for the turtles and told investigators that the terrapins, estimated to be worth $12,700, were meant to be sold as pets in India

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