Shocking discovery at Airport: 20 baby turtles found in passenger’s baggage

Twenty baby turtles have reportedly been seized by customs officials at Plaisance Airport. These young reptiles, ranging in size from 6 to 15 centimetres, were discovered during a baggage check of a 68-year-old Mauritian passenger arriving from India on an Air Mauritius flight.

During questioning by officers from the Custom Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS), it was revealed that the passenger did not possess any official authorisation or permits from the relevant authorities to import these turtles.

The passenger reportedly admitted to the officers, “I bought them for Rs 500 a pair in Surat to keep as pets.”

However, authorities suspect that the sexagenarian intended to resell the reptiles on the island, leading to their seizure, Defi Media reported.

The twenty baby turtles have been handed over to the veterinary service under the Ministry of Agro-Industry.

On March 21, 2016, a total of 146 turtles were discovered and seized at Mumbai International Airport in India. Originating from Madagascar, these turtles had made a stopover in Mauritius.

Source: Defi Media