KLIA Customs officer detect RM1.2 million worth of smuggled tortoises

Customs officers at the KL International Airport have foiled an attempt to smuggle into the country 330 endangered tortoises valued at about RM1.2 million.

The tortoises, five of the Ploughshare species endemic to Madagascar and 325 of the Indian Star species, were found in five boxes on an Etihad Airways flight from Madagascar's Antananarivo Airport yesterday, said KLIA Customs (Enforcement and Compliance) deputy director Abdull (rpt) Abdull Wahib Sulong.

The tortoises were found during an inspection of the boxes at the air cargo warehouse of the KLIA free trade zone at about 3pm, he said.

Abdull Wahid said the tortoises had been declared as stones in the air waybill.

He said efforts were being made to trace the importer of the tortoises which were destined for an address in Salak Tinggi, Sepang, Selangor, that was found to be fictitious.