LAHORE: A Punjab Wildlife Department raiding team has confiscated 504 freshwater turtles at the Lahore airport before being smuggled to Bangkok.

Assistant Wildlife Officer Javed Awan said the raid was conducted on a tip-off around 1:30am on Monday. Mr Awan led the raiding team comprising wildlife officials Hussnain Ali Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, Mustafa Ahmed and Ashiq Ali.

Read: Sindh, Punjab hub of illegal turtle trade

The turtles were being smuggled in suitcases by flight TG-346 from Lahore.

Deputy Superintendent Customs Zaheer Chaudhry told Dawn that Karachi-based Zahid Sultan and Irfan Ahmed had been taken into custody for trying to take illegal consignment of freshwater turtles to Bangkok. He said investigation was being conducted as to who was going to help them clear the consignment.

Also read: Bid to smuggle ‘largest’ turtle parts shipment foiled

Punjab Wildlife Department Deputy Director Headquarters Naeem Bhatti told this reporter that the turtles caught from the Lahore airport had initially been sent to Zoo and Safari. He said one third of the confiscated turtles at Safari would be released at Head Balloki on Friday and others at Taunsa Barrage.

Also read: 200 turtles found in luggage onboard Bangkok flight

The department, he said, had fined Rs300,000 to suspected smugglers.

He said turtles were highly valued in Bangkok and used for eating and medicinal purposes.

Punjab Wildlife Department Director General Khalid Ayaz said the turtles seemed to be bred at some breeding farm and the department was trying to trace the gang involved in illegal trade as those caught were just carriers.

Also read: Hong Kong officials ask Pakistan to receive 751 smuggled turtles

He said the department would enhance its surveillance to prevent such cases. He said one fourth of the fine amount would be given to the raiding party as a reward.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2015

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