Foreigner Caught Smuggling 2,500 Turtles Through KLIA

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A foreigner has been detained after authorities discovered over 2,500 live turtles in his luggage at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)

According to the Malay Mail, the suspect was arrested on Wednesday, 6 August, just before he could board a flight to Bengaluru, India.

Acting on prior intelligence, officers from the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) moved in and detained the suspect at the departure gate.

A preliminary scan of the suspect's luggage revealed suspicious objects, which turned out to be more than 2,500 red-eared slider turtles packed in multiple bags and plastic containers.

Authorities estimate the turtles' total value at RM348,000.

The case is currently being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008.

All the turtles have been seized as evidence for further investigation.

The incident marks the latest in a string of animal smuggling cases at KLIA

In May 2025, two men were caught smuggling more than 300 reptiles at the airport, including red-eared sliders, monitor lizards, and iguanas.

And in July, The Star reported another case where a 38-year-old suspect was caught with grey langur monkeys, siamangs, and armadillos hidden in his luggage.

Red-eared sliders are a popular target for smugglers, thanks to the demand in the exotic pet trade

Native to the southern US and northern Mexico, it is the most commonly traded turtle species in the world due to their low price, ease of care, and small size, making them a popular pet.

In countries like Australia and India, released red-eared sliders have established breeding populations. In fact, they are listed among the world's 100 most invasive species.

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