Hyderabad: Two Arrested for Smuggling Star and Red-Eared Slider Tortoises
Hyderabad: The sleuths of the Special Operations Team (SOT), Malkajgiri Zone, along with the Forest Range Officer (FRO) from Uppal, arrested two persons involved in smuggling star tortoises and red-eared slider tortoises. The authorities seized 281 star tortoises and 160 red-eared slider tortoises, as well as four mobile phones, all worth an estimated Rs 64,00,000. A case has been filed under Sections 9, 39, 49, 50, 51, and 55 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The accused have been identified as MD Siraj Ahmed, Shaik Jani, and Vijay Kumar.
According to the police, one of the accused, Shaik Jani, runs an aquarium business under the name "Famous Aquarium" in Peerzadiguda, where he sells various species of fish and birds. Acting on a tip-off, the SOT raided the aquarium and found star tortoises being sold, recovering five star tortoises from his possession. During questioning, he revealed that MD Siraj Ahmed, who operates the "New Shine Aquarium" business, had sold him the tortoises.
Further investigation led to the discovery of 160 red-eared slider tortoises and 281 star tortoises in a godown. During interrogation, MD Siraj Ahmed admitted that he, along with Vijay Kumar, had devised a plan to smuggle tortoises from the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh to Hyderabad.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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