New Delhi, June 20 -- Authorities in Indonesia 's tourist island of Bali foiled an attempt last week to illegally trade 21 protected green sea turtles, police said on Friday.

Bali police seized the live animals during a raid on the island's Pegametan coast on June 10, after local residents reported suspected illegal turtle trading activity in the area, according to Nanang Pri Hasmojo, head of law enforcement at the force.

Police arrested a 67-year-old man identified only by his initials as KS, who is suspected of storing the protected animals before they were distributed for sale.

During initial questioning, police say the suspect told investigators the turtles had been sent by an associate from waters near Madura, an island in East Ja...