Two held for smuggling of turtles

Two persons were arrested at Kothapalli village in East Godavari district for illegally transporting as many as 200 turtles to neighbouring Odisha, forest officials said today.

"During nakabandi operation ahead of elections, police were checking vehicles when they found the turtles kept in four boxes in a vehicle last night," they said.

An official said the accused belonged to West Bengal and are yet to be identified.