The Wildlife Crime Control Unit of the forest department seized 800kg of turtles in an overnight operation in Chandpur on Monday.
The turtles belonged to three freshwater species and marked the largest consignment ever confiscated by the WCCU.
Wildlife inspector Ashim Mallick told 抖阴精品 on Tuesday that the raid was conducted at various locations, including Kalibari Road, Doabhanga, and Shahrasti, based on intelligence reports.
The seized turtles included 500kg of Sundhi tortoises, 280kg of Kari Kaita turtles, and 20kg of Yellow tortoises.
Local residents and traders revealed that smugglers had been disguising the illegal turtle trade as eel, also known as Kuchia, business.
WCCU officials suspected that the turtles were destined for smuggling abroad.
鈥楾his trade is seasonal, lasting three to four months, especially when water levels recede, WCCU officer Ashim Mallick explained.
The confiscated turtles would be released into natural waterbodies to ensure their conservation, he added.
