Three arrested in Japan over alleged smuggling of rare tortoises from Thailand

Japanese police arrested three men in Osaka, including a 17-year-old high school student and a 57-year-old construction worker, on suspicion of trying to smuggle Indian star tortoises from Thailand into Japan. Police said the student bought the rare tortoises in Thailand and brought them back in luggage, where they were discovered during customs inspection; investigators believe the animals were intended for resale at high prices.