Thai authorities have arrested a 19-year-old Taiwanese woman at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 30 protected tortoises concealed beneath her clothing.
According to wildlife officials, the suspect was intercepted while preparing to board a flight to Taipei after airport authorities noticed her unusual movements at the departure terminal.
A search reportedly uncovered 30 Indian star tortoise strapped to her body using adhesive tape and hidden inside cloth bags. Authorities said 29 of the tortoises were found alive, while one had died.
Thailand’s wildlife conservation department said the animals were immobilised and attached to the suspect’s body in an attempt to evade airport security checks.
Officials estimated the tortoises to be worth about $9,000 on the black market.
The Thai customs department noted that the reptiles are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and are highly sought after in the illegal exotic pet trade across Asia.
The teenager has been charged with illegal transportation of protected wildlife and customs violations.
Authorities added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspect is linked to a larger wildlife trafficking network.
The surviving tortoises have since been handed over to wildlife officials for treatment and preservation as evidence.
