116 tortoises returned to Tanzania in landmark wildlife trafficking investigation

SINGAPORE - More than two years after a Ukrainian woman was stopped at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport during an INTERPOL operation with 116 baby tortoises concealed in her luggage, the internationally protected species have been returned to Tanzania as evidence against their smuggler.

The repatriation of the tortoises signals the final phase of a long-running enquiry into an international wildlife trafficking ring that has led to the arrest of 14 suspects from various countries and tracked down the Ukrainian smuggler after a global investigation.

A handover ceremony marking the reptiles' return was held yesterday in Bangkok, attended by high-level officials from Thailand and Tanzania.

Police Major General Surapan Thaiprasert, Commander of the Foreign Affairs Division at the Royal Thai Police said:

"Thailand worked closely with INTERPOL and our partners in Tanzania on this significant case. Through our strong detection capabilities, we were able to intercept the smuggler and rescue the tortoises. Their successful return to Tanzania is a testament to our collaborative efforts."

Criminal economy

The trafficking of endangered tortoises is a significant criminal economy, with species removed from their natural habitats, often to be sold abroad as exotic pets.

The 116 tortoises recovered in Bangkok included pancake tortoises, radiated tortoises and Aldabra giant tortoises, all of which are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Many of the tortoises died after being found in the smuggler's luggage, despite urgent care provided by Thai authorities. All 116 were nevertheless repatriated as evidence.

Cyril Gout, Acting Executive Director of Police Services at INTERPOL said:

"Wildlife trafficking is a serious global threat that disrupts ecosystems and harms communities while enriching organized crime groups. This case demonstrates the resolve of law enforcement internationally to protect vulnerable species, stop illegal wildlife trafficking and bring criminals to justice.

"INTERPOL plays a vital role in facilitating coordinated action against wildlife crime and will continue to support our member countries in breaking up wildlife trafficking syndicates."

Dismantling a wildlife crime network

Following her arrest in Bangkok, the Ukrainian smuggler fled Thailand before she could be fully prosecuted. Through intense international police collaboration and an INTERPOL Red Notice, she was located in Bulgaria in March 2023 and extradited to Tanzania three months later.

Once it was established that the smuggler belonged to a larger wildlife trafficking network, INTERPOL provided investigative and operational support. As a result of these efforts, 14 additional suspects, from countries including Egypt, Indonesia, Madagascar and Tanzania, have so far also been arrested.

Ramadhan Hamisi Kingai, Director of Criminal Investigation at the Tanzania Police Force said:

"From the capture of the suspect to the repatriation of the tortoises, these successes were made possible through strong international police cooperation and a collaborative, multi-agency approach facilitated through INTERPOL. Tanzania is firmly committed to addressing wildlife crime and continues to work with other countries to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Local wildlife officials in Tanzania will quarantine and care for the surviving tortoises before assessing if they can be safely returned to their natural habitats.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other donors.