DRI seizes 180 live Indian Star Tortoises in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: In a crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Bengaluru Zonal Unit, seized 180 live Indian Star Tortoises (Geochelone elegans) in Bengaluru on September 7.Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted a person carrying a green trolley bag in Gandhinagar. A search of the bag led to the recovery of six cloth covers containing the tortoises.FDA raids dark stores, seizes expired goods worth Rs 1.43 crore in BengaluruThe species, identified as Geochelone elegans, enjoys the highest level of protection under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.During questioning, the accused told officials that he had received the trolley bag from another person at Kalasipalyam and was instructed to deliver it to a third person in Majestic. He was promised Rs 10,000 for the delivery.The tortoises were seized under the relevant provisions of the Act, and the person was arrested under Section 50(1) for further action.

Source: Deccan Herald