Arjun, from Budaun, and Sanjoo, from Shahjahanpur, were arrested when they were trying to smuggle turtles to Kolkata from Kanpur, the GRP said.
The accused were carrying two bags in which 90 turtles were found. Their market price could be around Rs 2 lakh, they said.
The duo told police that they used to buy turtles at a rate of Rs 100 in Kanpur and sell them for Rs 2,100 in Kolkata.
The accused are being questioned to find out if there was a gang involved in the smuggling, police said.