Pakistan Customs has foiled an attempt to smuggle 320 Hamilton turtles to Thailand from Benazir International Airport Islamabad, it is learnt on Thursday. A senior officer of Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad received information that an attempt would be made to smuggle large quantity of live turtles to Thailand through a Bangkok-bound international flight.
Accordingly, the concerned staff at Benazir International Airport Islamabad was alerted to exercise strict vigilance. While briefing of passengers for a Bangkok bound international flight a passenger was found suspicious. The Customs officials stopped the passenger for detailed examination of his baggage. The examination of the baggage led to the recovery of 320 live Hamilton turtles placed in cloth bags.
Hamilton turtles (specific name Geoclemys hamiltonii) fall under the category of endangered species and its export is banned under Punjab Wildlife Act 1974 Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to which Pakistan is a signatory. Preliminary investigation revealed that these turtles were captured from River Sutlej and these were to be exported to Thailand from where these are further exported to different countries. The turtles have been handed over to the Punjab Wildlife Department so that the same may be freed into their natural habitat, sources added.