Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 10 (HBTV): 100 live turtles were confiscated by the Uttar Pradesh Police after they nabbed a smuggler who deals in the smuggling of turtles and other banned wildlife on Tuesday.

The individual identified as Bheem (38), who is said to reside in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, was arrested by the police from Geeta Colony yesterday afternoon after he was identified as a suspected smuggler.

Police confiscated a total of 100 live turtles, which include 50 Indian-roofed turtles, 45 black-spotted pond turtles, three Indian Eye Turtles (Schedule-I) and two Indian soft shield turtles (Schedule-I).

On Tuesday, the police at Geeta Colony Police Station received information regarding the arrival of a smuggler of banned turtles in that area.

After verifying the information, at about 1:15 pm, a person was noticed coming on a scooty carrying a large bag from Shakarpur. The suspect was apprehended.

After searching the bag, the police found several live turtles. On inquiry, the suspect could not give any satisfactory answer regarding the possession of the turtles. The accused person with the bag containing the turtles was brought to the police station.

On being thoroughly checked, a total of 100 live turtles were found from the bag and a case under the Wild Life Protection Act and 11(A) Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was registered.  

Upon further interrogation, Bheem disclosed that he along with his associate, one Ravi Bhatnagar, had been smuggling turtles and other wildlife species as per the demand of customers.

As per his disclosure, Bheem procured turtles from the Ganga River in the Garhmukteshwar area called Garh Ganga and from other rivers.

Further, he disclosed that a case was registered against his associate Ravi Bhatnagar regarding the smuggling of turtles at the Nandgram Police Station in Ghaziabad. The search for Bhatnagar is also going on.      

(ANI)  This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.