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Japan Arrests Three for Smuggling Indian Star Tortoises

By Drooid · Oct 28, 2026, 10:57 UTC · How we work

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Summary

Osaka Prefectural Police arrested three people for attempting to smuggle Indian star tortoises from Thailand.
They tried to bring three tortoises and 13 crayfish through Kansai International Airport on May 8.
Customs officers found the animals wrapped in damp cardboard during a baggage inspection.
Investigators allege Fukushima planned to resell the protected tortoises, violating the Washington Convention.

Summary

Bangkok police detained Israeli Tomer Kahiri on drug-spiking and non-consensual recording charges.
Officers seized 15 grams of crystal meth, fifty packaging bags, an electronic scale, and spiked cakes.
A recovered phone contained numerous intimate videos filmed without the women’s consent.
Investigators determined Kahiri had overstayed his visa by 2,095 days, remaining illegally since 2021.
During arrest, Kahiri threatened officers, saying an influential contact could secure his release within two hours.

History

After the Washington Convention was signed in March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975, CITES created a permit system that now protects over 40,900 species across 185 Parties. Decades of enforcement tools—such as Secretariat warnings and trade suspensions—enable Osaka Police and Bangkok Police to seize illegal star tortoises and arrest Israeli drug trafficker Tomer Kahiri, showing the treaty’s lasting impact.

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Historical Context

After the Washington Convention was signed in March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975, CITES created a permit system that now protects over 40,900 species across 185 Parties. Decades of enforcement tools—such as Secretariat warnings and trade suspensions—enable Osaka Police and Bangkok Police to seize illegal star tortoises and arrest Israeli drug trafficker Tomer Kahiri, showing the treaty’s lasting impact.

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