Turtle smuggling attempt foiled in Batam

Turtle smuggling attempt foiled in Batam

BATAM, Riau: A customs patrol boat seized a vessel and its crew
who were allegedly attempting to smuggle 3,000 turtles to
Singapore.

The shipment of protected turtles was intercepted on Saturday
off the coast of Batam island in Riau province.

Batam Customs official Syaifullah Nasution said the ship KM
Budidaya had been seized and its skipper and crew taken into
custody for allegedly transporting the protected species without
proper papers.

The turtle shipment was traced to Pontianak, West Kalimantan.
"The turtles will possibly be sent back to their habitat after
the case is settled," said Nasution. --Agencies