Indian National Charged for Tortoise Smuggling at Changi Airport

An Indian national was charged for allegedly smuggling 58 Indian star tortoises at Singapore's Changi Airport. Abdul Jaffar Haji Ali, 40, faces charges under the Endangered Species Act and the Animals and Birds Act. The tortoises were found in his luggage during a transit from India to Jakarta.

An Indian national was charged on Friday for allegedly possessing over 50 Indian star tortoises during his transit at Changi Airport in Singapore.

Abdul Jaffar Haji Ali, 40, was traveling from India to Jakarta when authorities discovered 58 Indian star tortoises hidden in his personal luggage at Changi Airport. The tortoises were found to be sealed and not ventilated, prompting immediate action from airport authorities.

Ali has been charged with unlawfully bringing the animals into Singapore under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, reported The Straits Times. He also faces an additional charge under the Animals and Birds Act for allegedly failing to ensure the tortoises did not suffer unnecessarily. Ali’s case will be heard again in court on September 20. The current condition of the tortoises remains undisclosed. The Indian star tortoise is listed as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).