What was meant to be a routine check in Jharcha, Greater Noida, took an unexpected turn on Wednesday evening. A police team was on the lookout for suspicious persons when they spotted a man on a scooter, carrying a rather heavy jute bag that appeared to be moving.

The team stopped the man, asked him to open the bag — and found 16 turtles inside.

Police said these are Indian Softshell or Gangetic Softshell Turtles, which fall under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 — the most protected category under Indian wildlife law — and were being smuggled to markets in Delhi, from where they would reach international markets. Police added that the turtles fetch between Rs 40,000 and Rs 1 lakh each on the black market.

Jarcha Police arrested the alleged smuggler on the spot.

Jarcha Station House Officer, Kailas Nath, told The Indian Express that the accused has been identified as Gagan (22), a resident of Haryana’s Panipat. Police also seized the two-wheeler he was using to smuggle the reptiles.

Nath said that it was a routine check in Jarcha, which lies at the trisection of Hapur, Bulandshahr and Gautam Buddh Nagar, when police spotted Gagan driving with a heavy bag.

“We are investigating if Gagan had other associates working with him. He lived in Jarcha and would trap turtles from Samana Canal and nearby ponds before selling them in Delhi. A net used to catch the turtles was also recovered from his possession,” said the SHO.

According to police, the forest department was alerted and the turtles were rescued.

“The turtles, believed to be Indian Softshell or Gangetic Softshell Turtles, are predominantly found in the Ganga river system and carry significant value in international black markets, with their price running into several lakhs of rupees,” said officials.

The SHO said the demand for these turtles is particularly high in Nepal and China. “If it has 20 claws, the international price is Rs 1 lakh. We have registered an FIR against Gagan under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972,” Nath said.

He added that Gagan would be presented before the court on Thursday afternoon.