Kolkata, July 23 -- A Chennai man was arrested by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs Department on Wednesday after at least 707 Red-eared Slider turtles were seized from him at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport in Kolkata, officials said.

Native to the central and south-eastern United States and northern Mexico, Red-eared Slider turtles are frequently traded as pets. They are considered among the world's worst invasive species and can upset local biodiversity.

"A passenger was held with 707 Red-eared Slider turtles at the NSCBI airport in Kolkata after he landed on a flight from Bangkok. He was arrested under the Customs Act, Wildlife Protection Act and CITES. Investigation is going on," said a se...