Malkangiri: Fifty-five live turtles were rescued and four people arrested after the Forest Department intercepted an alleged interstate wildlife smuggling operation in Malkangiri district Thrusday.
According to sources, the turtles were being transported illegally from Andhra Pradesh to Odisha when authorities intercepted the vehicle during a routine border patrol near Motu.
Police and forest officials also seized two motorcycles and four mobile phones allegedly used in the operation.
The arrested men were identified as Prabhas Jodahar and Nanda Mandal of MV-114 village, and Lokipad Mali and Ram Narayan Mandal of MPV-47 village.
Following the operation, police handed over the rescued turtles and the seized items to the Forest Department.
According to local forest officials, four accused were sent to jail.