Philippine police have seized 1,529 live turtles wrapped in duct tape inside suitcases abandoned at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
In a facebook post, the country's Bureau of Customs agency said the animals, which have a total worth of 4.5 million Philippine pesos (around AED 319,572), were smuggled onto a flight from Hong Kong.
Officials found the reptiles in four unclaimed pieces of luggage at the airport.
The Philippines has strict laws against illegal wildlife trafficking, with two-year jail term and a fine of 200,000 pesos handed to smugglers.
US military says it turned away blockade runner trying to reach Iranian port
WHO chief urges safe burials in visit to heart of Ebola outbreak
Rescuers pull four from flooded cave in Laos
Brazil investigates suspected Ebola case in Sao Paulo
Zambia steps up Ebola screening as neighbouring Congo sees cases rise
