Indian Passenger Caught Smuggling 2,500 Turtles at Kuala Lumpur Airport

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KUALA LUMPUR— An Indian national was arrested at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) while attempting to smuggle more than 2,500 live turtles, Malaysian border authorities confirmed on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

The individual was scheduled to board a flight to Bengaluru (BLR) on a commercial carrier when airport security intercepted him, uncovering red-eared slider turtles worth an estimated US$82,000 concealed in his luggage.

Indian Passenger Caught Smuggling Turtles

The incident adds to a growing list of illegal wildlife trafficking cases linked to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), a major transit hub increasingly exploited by smugglers.

Malaysian authorities caught the suspect shortly before his scheduled 10:05 pm departure to India, marking one of the rare cases foiled before the contraband left the country.

According to the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), a detailed inspection revealed thousands of red-eared slider turtles packed into suitcases. These turtles, native to North America, are considered invasive in countries like India, where they pose a serious threat to native aquatic ecosystems.

KLIA has been identified in multiple smuggling operations involving endangered species such as gibbons, koel birds, tortoises, and iguanas. The latest seizure comes amid mounting concerns about the airport’s role as a key wildlife trafficking corridor in Southeast Asia, SCMP reported.

India Identified as a Primary Destination

UK-based watchdog Traffic and Malaysia’s Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) have repeatedly flagged India as a major destination for wildlife illegally trafficked through KLIA.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, at least 11 smuggling cases were recorded involving rare species and exotic pets destined for Indian cities.

Unlike Malaysia, Indian customs and enforcement agencies have stepped up detection using intelligence-led approaches and advanced profiling methods.

Indian airports now rely on a mix of manual screening, training from wildlife crime agencies, and cooperation with global conservation groups.

Traffic, WWF-India, and India’s Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) have been conducting focused training to strengthen border enforcement capacity. These programmes include modules on forensic evidence handling, species identification, and legal prosecution under wildlife protection laws.

Corruption and Security Failures at KLIA

The smuggling case also comes against the backdrop of serious internal concerns at KLIA. Malaysia’s new border agency director, Shuhaily Mohd Zain, recently made headlines for publicly addressing corruption among airport officers.

In a widely shared video, he warned of firm disciplinary and legal action against personnel complicit in allowing criminal activities through security lapses.

Shuhaily, a former police official, has vowed to deploy anti-corruption units directly at KLIA to clamp down on officer misconduct. He linked past failures in wildlife and human trafficking enforcement to broader criminal outcomes, including violent crimes.

Malaysian authorities now face mounting pressure to overhaul airport controls, increase accountability, and tighten coordination with international wildlife protection agencies to curb trafficking.

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