Authorities stop the “Ninja Turtle Gang”, confiscate the illegal reptiles

PETALING JAYA: Six people have been apprehended by authorities from the “Ninja Turtle Gang,” a worldwide wildlife smuggling organisation. The group is thought to have stolen over RM246,394 worth of tortoises and turtles.

Four Cambodians and two locals were arrested on July 2 during a raid at a residence in Kuala Lumpur, according to Channel News Asia, citing Director-General Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim of Peninsular Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

This operation comes after another raid on June 29th, during which 400 tortoises valued at RM3.79 million were taken off the illegal market.

According to Abdul Kadir, “preliminary inquiries showed that the reptiles were smuggled from overseas to meet the lucrative pet market.”

Critically endangered species like the Chinese striped-necked turtle were among the confiscated items, along with other endangered species that were saved, including the red-footed tortoise, black pond turtle, snapping turtle, sulcata tortoise, and leopard tortoise.

Three snakes, four softshell turtles, a skink, and five frogs were also discovered during the raid.

He said that the usual methods used by smugglers to bring these reptiles into the nation are via road or in bags on commercial flights.

A wildlife department quarantine centre presently houses all rescued animals.