The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), an anti-smuggling intelligence wing of the Centre, busted an interstate freshwater turtle smuggling racket by arresting three persons from near a toll plaza in Odisha’s Cuttack district, a senior forest official said on Sunday.

As many as 302 Indian tent turtles, a schedule-1 species under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, were seized along with an SUV with the help of revenue intelligence officials at the Tangi toll gate of Cuttack. The species accorded a high degree of protection for being a scheduled-1 animal, was trafficked to Karnataka.

These turtles, widely smuggled as pets in aquariums, were procured from West Bengal, the official said, quoting the investigators. The rescued turtles of the species were later handed over to forest officials.

The habitats of Indian Tent Turtles include still water pools on the riverside and slow-running water near the river banks. These species are mainly herbivorous and due to the attractive appearance of the species, they are mostly smuggled to the pet markets, added the official.