Thai Authorities Arrest Woman Smuggling 30 Tortoises

On Tuesday, authorities at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport arrested a 19-year-old Taiwanese woman for allegedly attempting to smuggle 30 Indian star tortoises, valued at around $9,000. The Wildlife Conservation Department of Thailand reported that the tortoises were discovered during a search of the departure terminal, where the woman was preparing to board a flight to Taipei.

The animals were found alive and dead, strapped to her body with adhesive tape and packed in a cloth bag to evade detection by customs officials. The Indian star tortoise is classified as a vulnerable species under international conservation agreements and is often targeted for the exotic pet trade, commanding high prices on the black market.

The woman has been charged with illegal transport of animals and evading customs control, and authorities are investigating whether she is part of a larger smuggling network.