Thai authorities have arrested a 19-year-old woman at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport after she was allegedly caught smuggling dozens of protected tortoises taped to her body.
Officials said the suspect, a Taiwanese national, raised suspicion due to her unusual behaviour while preparing to board a flight to Taipei. A subsequent search at the airport’s departure terminal uncovered 30 Indian star tortoise, 29 alive and one dead, hidden under her clothing.
According to Thailand’s wildlife conservation department, the animals had been immobilised with adhesive tape, placed in cloth bags, and strapped to her body in an attempt to evade detection.
Authorities said the tortoises are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and are highly sought after on the black market. The seized animals were estimated to be worth around $9,000.
The suspect has been charged with illegal transportation of protected wildlife and evading customs controls. Investigators are now working to determine whether she is linked to a larger trafficking network.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the Indian star tortoise as a vulnerable species, noting that it is frequently targeted for the exotic pet trade.
The surviving animals have been handed over to wildlife officials for care and will also serve as evidence in the ongoing case.