Indian held in Dhaka for smuggling tortoises

Dhaka, Aug 7 (IANS) An Indian was Tuesday arrested at the airport here for allegedly trying to smuggle over 100 baby tortoises, officials said.

The tortoises were in two suitcases to be taken to Bangkok, Xinhua reported.

Ehtashamul Haq of the Airport Armed Police Battalion said three people including one Indian and two Bangladeshi officials were arrested at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The Indian's name was not released.

In April, Bangladeshi customs seized over 400 tortoises reportedly brought from India and meant to be smuggled to Bangkok.

Officials in Thailand last year also reportedly found hundreds of tortoises and crocodiles in suitcases that had arrived on a flight from Dhaka.