A total of 1,529 live turtles and tortoises were recovered on March 3, 2019, at the airport serving the Philippine capital Manila. Customs officers said the reptiles were found in four unclaimed suitcases which belonged to a Filipino passenger flying from Hong Kong. It is still unclear why the luggage was left behind, but officials said the passenger may have become aware of the penalties for illegal trade in wildlife.
Under Philippine law, those found guilty of illegal wildlife trading face up to two years in prison and a fine up to 200,000 pesos (US$3,700). In 2018 alone, customs officers at the capital’s airport had turned up 560 wildlife and endangered species – including 250 geckos and 254 corals – smuggled through air parcels, baggage and shipments