MV 79: Forest personnel seized 308 turtles and arrested two persons on charge of smuggling the animals near the Motu border under Kalimela block in Malkangiri district, early Wednesday morning. The accused were identifi ed as Suraj Mallik and Shaktipada Gain.
Acting on inputs about turtle smuggling, a team led by MV-79 ranger Rashmiranjan Swain, along with forester Muralidhar Anugulia and Motu forest personnel conducted a checking at Motu. Around 4am, officials spotted a pickup van and two motorcycles entering Odisha from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. During verification, the officials discovered the turtles.
Preliminary investigation suggests the turtles were being transported from Kakinada in Andhra to Kalimela block. The seized vehicles were taken to the MV-79 forest office, where authorities seized 308 turtles from the vehicles. The Forest department registered a case in connection with the incident and produced the two suspects in court Thursday.
