DHAKA, Bangladesh – Customs agents seized 415 turtles being smuggled in three suitcases through the Bangladesh's main airport on Tuesday (April 17th), an official said.

Two Indian nationals were arrested in connection with the seizure at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, customs officer Showkat Ara told AFP.

"The tortoises were carried in three suitcases. They were smuggled to Bangladesh from India and were being taken to Bangkok," Ara said.

The animals, worth an estimated three million taka ($37,000) on the black market, will be kept at a conservation centre, she said.

Government conservationist Tapan Kumar told AFP the seizure was the largest in recent years and included three types of endangered tortoises: 300 Star Tortoises, 90 Three-keeled Tortoises and 25 Indian Roofed Turtles.