Motu Police and the Forest Department intercepted an inter-state smuggling operation in Malkangiri district, rescuing 55 live turtles and arresting four smugglers during the operation.
Acting on routine border patrol near Motu, officials discovered the turtles were being illegally transported from Andhra Pradesh into Odisha.
Along with the rescued turtles, officials seized four mobile phones and two motorcycles used in the operation.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Prabhas Jodahar and Nanda Mandal from MV-114 village, alongside Lokipad Mali and Ram Narayan Mandal from MPV-47 village.
Police handed over the turtles and confiscated items to the Forest Department. According to local forestry officials, the four arrested men have been sent to jail.
