Turtle smugglers busted at LAX

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers detained two Japanese nationals at LAX after finding 55 endangered turtles - alive - in their luggage. The men also had $16,212 in undeclared currency, which was also seized.

Here's part of the CBP press release:

The exotic reptiles, identified as endangered species, were found alive wrapped in cloth bags and concealed inside five Japanese cookie boxes. Turtles and tortoises are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

CBP officers seized 15 Fly River, 14 Snail Eating, 3 Chinese Big-Headed, 5 Indian Flap, 11 Chinese Soft Shell turtles and 7 Star tortoises.

I have no idea why they decided to list the reptiles in that order, but there you have it.