180 tortoises seized

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) men recovered 180 rare turtles from Putkhali border under Benapole Port Police Station yesterday.

Lieutenant Colonel Jahangir Hossain, commanding officer (CO), Border Guard 26-Battalion, said, being tipped off, BGB personnel raided Baropota Bazar on Benapole-Putkhali Road at around 10:00am yesterday and seized the tortoises. The tortoises, which were smuggled in from India, were kept in sacks and suitcases, said the BGB CO. The tortoises were handed over to the department of wildlife conservation centre in Khulna. None was arrested in this connection. A case was lodged with Benapole port police station in this regard.