Eight rare turtles seized, two arrested

BAHRAICH (UP): Two persons, including a suspected animal smuggler, were arrested and eight endangered turtles seized from his possession here, police said on Friday.

The turtles, which were caught from Katarniyaghat wildlife division, were recovered when police raided a lodge, police said.

The smuggler, Hira Prasad, with the help of a security guard had kept the turtles in the basement, police claimed adding that the guard has also been arrested.

The animals were to be handed over to an agent in Barabanki, police said.

Prasad told the police that he was also involved in smuggling snakes, they said adding that a case has been registered.