230 turtles from India seized at Bangkok airport

Thai customs officials have seized 230 Hamilton turtles packed in four unattended suitcases that arrived on a flight from India at Bangkok airport.
The turtles were packed in four suitcases which arrived on IndiGo Airlines flight from Kolkata yesterday. They were found unattended in the arrival area inside Suvarnabhumi airport, officials said.
"The baggage bore the names Hashamudd M, Dantsh Zafa, Shamsad SK and Wasi Akram," Paisal Cheunjit, Deputy Chief of Customs Department, was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post.
The department estimated the value of the turtles at USD 30,821, although the price tag could be much more in the market.

"The suspects probably left the luggage over fears they could be detected by authorities," Paisal said.
"The turtles will be sent to the Bang Phra Waterbird Breeding Research Centre in Chon Buri before being handed over to other agencies, including zoos," he said.

Hamilton turtles are also known as the Indian spotted turtle and are found in Assam, southern Pakistan (Indus and Ganges River drainages) and Bangladesh.
Hamilton turtles are under protection as an endangered species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Thai customs officials have seized 2,270 Hamilton turtles worth USD 416083 over the past six months.