Archive · 23 Jul 2026
Kolkata Customs Seizes 707 Exotic Turtles from Chennai Passenger
Customs officials in Kolkata stopped a man from Chennai who was trying to bring 707 exotic turtles from Bangkok without the right papers.
The turtles were hidden in his luggage.
The officials are now investigating to find out who else might be involved in this illegal activity.
They are committed to stopping such illegal wildlife trade.
Customs officials in Kolkata seized 707 red-eared slider turtles from a Chennai passenger arriving from Bangkok.
The turtles were hidden in the passenger's checked-in baggage without a valid license or permit.
The passenger was intercepted after crossing the Green Channel at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport.
A detailed investigation is underway to identify the network behind the illegal shipment.
Customs officials remain committed to a zero-tolerance approach towards wildlife trafficking.
- Who
- Customs officials at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport
- What
- Seized 707 red-eared slider turtles from a Chennai-based passenger
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport
- Why
- To prevent wildlife trafficking and enforce regulations
Wildlife Trafficking Prevention
Illegal Wildlife Trade
Legal Compliance
Wildlife Trafficking Prevention
Customs officials enforce strict regulations to prevent wildlife trafficking.
Illegal Wildlife Trade
Traffickers attempt to bypass regulations through illegal means.
- Number of Turtles Seized
- 707
- Species of Turtles
- Red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)
- Passenger's Origin
- Chennai
- Passenger's Destination
- Kolkata
- Airline
- IndiGo
- Customs Official
- Vinayak Azaad, Principal Commissioner of Customs (Airport & ACC), Kolkata