65 star tortoises, 4 gold idols seized at city airport

65 star tortoises, 4 gold idols seized at city airport Chennai, Apr 7 (PTI): A total of 65 live star tortoises and four gold idols of Lord Ganesh worth Rs 65 lakh were seized at the airport here Sunday and one person was arrested, Customs officials said. In the first seizure, a passenger bound for Thailand Saturday was subjected to a check and it yielded the star tortoises, the officials said.

The reptiles, which were endangered species, were handed over to the forest department, while the passenger was detained. In the other reported Saturday night, the officials intercepted a passenger upon his arrival from Paris.

On suspicion, his bags were checked and they contained the Ganesha idols. He was arrested, the officials said..