ICA Foils Attempt To Smuggle Baby Leopard Tortoises, Found Hidden Inside Lorry

ICA Foils Attempt To Smuggle Endangered Baby Leopard Tortoises

Folks from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has foiled many illegal attempts to smuggle cigarettes and other forms of contraband into our country. This time, they’ve prevented an attempt to import endangered animals instead.

Last Wednesday (22 Jul), ICA successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle 7 baby leopard tortoises placed inside a white cardboard box. The package was reportedly found behind the driver’s seat in a Malaysian-registered lorry.

Source

ICA finds baby leopard tortoises

According to ICA’s post, eagle-eyed officers spotted 7 baby leopard tortoises placed inside a box.

Source

True to its name, the tortoises have patterns on its shells that resemble those on a leopard’s fur.

During the physical inspection, the animals were apparently found in a white cardboard box behind the driver’s seat.

Source

The ‘seized’ tortoises are now under the care of the Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

The lorry driver, as well as another male subject, are also assisting NParks with their investigation.

 

Source

ICA also shared that the “method of concealment” is unsettling as it can be used to smuggle other “security items”.

Leopard tortoises are protected under The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Those found guilty of importing the species without a CITES permit faces a fine of up to $500,000 and/or a jail term not exceeding 2 years under the Endangered Species Act.

Kudos to ICA staff

Kudos to folks from the ICA for foiling this brazen and illegal act of importing an endangered species.

We hope investigations will successfully reveal others who are in cahoots with those have are assisting ongoing investigations.

Featured image from Facebook.

Monique Danao

When Monique's not writing, you'll find her enjoying funky food, listening to music and playing RPGs.

Recent Posts

Desert in Saudi Arabia experiences snowfall for the first time, more severe weather expected

Some locals hope that the weather will bring about a more vibrant spring.

7 Nov 2024, 4:06 pm

Group intentionally falls & demands compensation in alleged ‘accident scam’ at Somerset

The victim's husband added that the group might have targeted his wife as they assumed…

7 Nov 2024, 3:54 pm

Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s new immersive park to open in March 2025, visitors can trek through 13-hectare rainforest & admire wildlife

The soon-to-open Rainforest Wild Asia boasts both family-friendly and adrenaline-pumping wildlife activities.

7 Nov 2024, 3:43 pm

‘Depressed people in particular should come’: Funeral company in Japan has café where customers can lay inside coffins

The company has reportedly already received around 20 reservations since launching the service in September.

7 Nov 2024, 2:54 pm

Glass mug allegedly explodes in customer’s hands at AMK food court, splashes hot drink on her

She worried that others might get hurt in future incidents.

7 Nov 2024, 2:20 pm

Lorry T-bones & flips van at Bedok Reservoir junction, 1 person conveyed to hospital

At least 4 passers-by stopped to check on the lorry driver.

7 Nov 2024, 1:18 pm