BSF troopers have seized 192 tortoises valued over Rs 1.15 crore in the international market from West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district while the animals were being smuggled to Bangladesh, an official release said Friday.
Following a specific intelligence output, the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel Thursday laid an ambush in the Kalanchi area under Gaighata police station and intercepted a person suspiciously going towards Bangladesh with a bag and red colour wood.
After a thorough search, the troopers recovered 192 Indian tortoises and 65 kg red colour sandal wood from the apprehended person.
The red sandal wood is valued at about Rs.3.25 lakh in the international market, a BSF release said.
The alleged offender, 54 year old Ramesh Halder, is a resident of Kalanchi district.
The seized tortoise were handed over to forest officials by BSF authorities.
BSF personnel had seized 360 Indian tortoises in August.
BSF troops have also seized endangered species like lizards and coloured parrots while these were being smuggled to Bangladesh.
