'Ninja Turtle Gang' members held in Malaysia

Malaysian authorities have arrested six members of an international crime ring known as the "Ninja Turtle Gang" and seized about 200 smuggled tortoises and turtles, wildlife officials said yesterday.

Authorities said four Cambodians and two Malaysians were arrested during a July 2 raid on a house in Kuala Lumpur by police and wildlife officials.

Some 200 turtles and tortoises worth an estimated 246,394 ringgit (HK$409,000) were rescued during the raid, said authorities.

Many people across Asia believe that turtles and tortoises bring good luck and prosperity.

Animals rescued the raid included the critically endangered Chinese striped-necked turtle, which is also known as the golden thread turtle, officials said. Other species included the endangered black pond turtle, snapping turtle, sulcata tortoise, leopard tortoise and the red-footed tortoise found throughout South America and the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Barbados.

Also discovered were three snakes, four softshell turtles, a skink and five frogs.

The reptiles are illegally brought into Malaysia by road or in suitcases by smugglers aboard commercial flights, officials said.

Agence France-Presse