Watch: Rachakonda police seize 281 star fish, 160 red eared slider tortoises from smugglers

Mohd Siraj Ahmed (39) of Old Malakpet and Shaik Jani (50) of Medipally, both aqua culturists, were smuggling the tortoises and star fish from Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: The Rachakonda police seized 281 star fish and 160 red eared slider tortoises from two persons at Medipally on Wednesday.

Mohd Siraj Ahmed (39) of Old Malakpet and Shaik Jani (50) of Medipally, both aqua culturists, were smuggling the tortoises and star fish from Andhra Pradesh.

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They bought these tortoise and fish from Vijay Kumar, a resident of Andhra Pradesh. Both the suspects were selling it to customers in the city at a higher price and earning illegal profits.

“Ahmed and Jani have aquaculture activity and have shops in the city. They were bringing the star fish and tortoises from Andhra Pradesh and keeping at a secret place and selling to only select customers. On information, a raid was conducted,” said DCP Special Operations Team, A Ramana Reddy.

The property along with the two persons was handed over to the Forest Department. A case is registered under Wildlife Protection Act 1972.