Smuggled turtles found inside luggage at NAIA
Published Mar 4, 2019 01:12 pm
By Betheena UniteÂ
Over a thousand live exotic turtles were discovered in four abandoned luggage from Hongkong at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Sunday, the Bureau of Customs said Monday.
Approximately, 1,500 turtles were intercepted by Bureau of Customs NAIA on Sunday afternoon, March 3, 2019. The Custom Police reported that turtles were brought by a Filipino from Hongkong. (MB Photo/JM Abcede)
A total of 1,529 turtles such as Star Tortoise, Redfoot Tortoise, Sulcata Tortoise, Red-eared Slider live species, were found inside the luggage at the airport's Terminal 2.
According to the bureau, the four pieces of luggage were allegedly left behind by the owner, who has yet to be identified, after learning that bringing wildlife animals into the country is illegal.
"The passenger may have been informed of the vigilance of the port against illegal wildlife trade and its penalties, thus leaving the four x-rayed luggage unclaimed in the arrival area," the bureau said.
Illegal wildlife trading is a violation of RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and RA 9147 known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Violators, the bureau said, may face imprisonment of one year and one day to two years and a fine of P20,000 to P200,000.
The confiscated exotic turtles were then turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit (DENR-WTMU).
Earlier this year, 63 Iguanas, Chameleon, and Bearded Dragons were also intercepted at the port of NAIA.
In 2018, a total of 560 wildlife and endangered species including 250 geckos, 254 corals and other reptiles smuggled through air parcels, baggage, and shipments to the port of NAIA were turned over to the DENR.
Approximately, 1,500 turtles were intercepted by Bureau of Customs NAIA on Sunday afternoon, March 3, 2019. The Custom Police reported that turtles were brought by a Filipino from Hongkong. (MB Photo/JM Abcede)
A total of 1,529 turtles such as Star Tortoise, Redfoot Tortoise, Sulcata Tortoise, Red-eared Slider live species, were found inside the luggage at the airport's Terminal 2.
According to the bureau, the four pieces of luggage were allegedly left behind by the owner, who has yet to be identified, after learning that bringing wildlife animals into the country is illegal.
"The passenger may have been informed of the vigilance of the port against illegal wildlife trade and its penalties, thus leaving the four x-rayed luggage unclaimed in the arrival area," the bureau said.
Illegal wildlife trading is a violation of RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and RA 9147 known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Violators, the bureau said, may face imprisonment of one year and one day to two years and a fine of P20,000 to P200,000.
The confiscated exotic turtles were then turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit (DENR-WTMU).
Earlier this year, 63 Iguanas, Chameleon, and Bearded Dragons were also intercepted at the port of NAIA.
In 2018, a total of 560 wildlife and endangered species including 250 geckos, 254 corals and other reptiles smuggled through air parcels, baggage, and shipments to the port of NAIA were turned over to the DENR.