Hyderabad: Wildlife Smuggling Racket Busted; 281 Starfish, 160 Tortoises Seized
In a major operation, the Rachakonda police seized 281 starfish and 160 red-eared slider tortoises from two individuals in Medipally on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Mohd Siraj Ahmed, 39, from Old Malakpet, and Shaik Jani, 50, from Medipally, were involved in smuggling these animals from Andhra Pradesh. Both men work as aquaculturists.
The two suspects allegedly purchased the tortoises and starfish from a supplier named Vijay Kumar, who resides in Andhra Pradesh. They were then selling these animals to customers in Hyderabad at inflated prices to make illegal profits.
According to DCP Special Operations Team A Ramana Reddy, the duo operated secretly. “Ahmed and Jani were engaged in aquaculture and ran shops in the city. They transported the starfish and tortoises from Andhra Pradesh and stored them at undisclosed locations, selling them only to select customers. Acting on a tip-off, we conducted a raid,” he said.
The seized animals and the two suspects have been handed over to the Forest Department. Authorities have registered a case under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Further investigation into the smuggling network is underway.
