Two held at Lonavala railway station for trafficking iguanas and tortoises

Photo for representational purpose. Picture Courtesy/iStock

Two people have been detained by the Government Railway Police (GRP) for allegedly trafficking iguanas, tortoises, and fish in a large quantity via train at Lonavala railway station, the police said on Wednesday.

At least 1,207 iguanas, 279 African Spurred Tortoise, and 230 Betta fish - all exotic species - were found in the possession of the two passengers who were travelling from Chennai to Mumbai in Chennai-LTT Express on Tuesday.

"The confiscated species and two carriers have been handed over to the Customs and they will take further action," said Maula Sayyad, police inspector, Local Crime Branch of GRP.

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The detained passengers are identified as Tarunkumar Mohan, 26, and Srinivasan Kamal, 20.

"The duo was travelling with four large travel bags, which aroused suspicion. When the policemen opened the bags they found iguanas, tortoises, and fish inside. During their interrogation, the two passengers told the patrolling staff that they were just carriers who were taking the species to Mumbai from Chennai," he said. The officer added that the duo was not carrying any valid documents or a permit to transport these species.

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