CID seizes more than 2,400 turtles, worth Rs 20 lakhs

Kolkata: In a record recovery the criminal investigation department (CID) has seized more than 2400 pieces of rare turtles, worth around Rs 20 lakhs, which were being smuggled. It also arrested four persons.

The state detective agency received a tip off about the smuggling of the consignment of endangered species: Indian Soft Shell Turtle from Bhubaneswar coming to North 24 Parganas through the national highway 6. CID deputy inspector general (operations) Nishat Parvez said that the Wild Life Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and West Bengal Forest department were contacted for assistance as  they are the competent authority and expert in handling animals.

Later raids were conducted at Birati in North 24 Parganas and Dhulagarh toll tax area in Howrah.

A truck (WB51A6730) was intercepted at Dhulagarh. Two businessmen: Uttam Singha (46) and Nitai Das (47) and Dipankar Mondal, a helper and Debasish Das, the truck-driver were arrested by the CID.

The truck was impounded. Mr Parvez informed that the CID team with the WCCB and forest officials went to Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in Salt Lake and unloaded around 92 boxes from the truck.

He added, “Around 1799 pieces were live turtles while 700 others died due to unhealthy transportation. Counting process is going on. This is most probably the highest recovery of turtles in West Bengal and second highest in India as reported by the WCCB. The consignment’s market value is around Rs 20,00,000.”