Shame : Man caught trying to smuggle turtles

FAISALABAD: Customs officials intercepted a man attempting to smuggle black turtles at the Faisalabad International Airport early morning on Tuesday. Customs Officer Saleem Akhtar told journalists that Customs staff and members of the Anti-Narcotics Force and Airport Security checked Muhammad Iqbal’s luggage. He was travelling from Faisalabad to Karachi on the flight QR-623. They found 45 black turtles in three suitcases he was carrying. Akhtar said they had taken Iqbal into custody and were investigating the matter. “The black turtle is a rare species. Its meat is sold at exorbitant prices in Malaysia and some other countries,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2016.