Tanzania receives 116 tortoises as evidence in major trafficking probe

Dar es Salaam. A total of 116 baby tortoises that were smuggled by a Ukrainian national, Orga Kryshtopa in 2023, have been returned to Tanzania as evidence against their smuggler.

More than two years after Kryshtopa was stopped at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport during an INTERPOL operation with the reptiles concealed in her luggage.

The internationally protected species' return has shown the power of collaboration.

The revelation was made on Friday, January 24, 2025, by a statement shared by Interpol in Thailand.

The Director of Criminal Investigations at the Tanzania Police Force, Mr Ramadhan Hamisi Kingai, acknowledged that the capture of the suspect to the repatriation of the tortoises were made possible through strong international police cooperation and a collaborative, multi-agency approach facilitated through INTERPOL.

“Tanzania is firmly committed to addressing wildlife crime and continues to work with other countries to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said

Mr Kingai said this during a handover ceremony marking the reptiles’ return which was held on January 24, 2025, in Bangkok, also attended by high-level officials from Tanzania and Thailand.

Mr Kingai stressed, “Local wildlife officials in Tanzania will quarantine and care for the surviving tortoises before assessing if they can be safely returned to their natural habitats.”

In June 2023, Ms Kryshtopa was arraigned at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court, facing two charges, including the smuggling of 116 tortoises valued Sh18.9 million.

However, the repatriation of the tortoises signals the final phase of a long-running inquiry into an international wildlife trafficking ring that has led to the arrest of 14 suspects from various countries and tracked down the Ukrainian smuggler after a global investigation.

Foreign Affairs Division at the Royal Thai Police Commander, Major General Surapan Thaiprasert, said: "Thailand worked closely with INTERPOL and our partners in Tanzania on this significant case.”

“Through our strong detection capabilities, we intercepted the smuggler and rescued the tortoises. Their successful return to Tanzania is a testament to our collaborative efforts,” he added.

The trafficking of endangered tortoises is a significant criminal economy, with species removed from their natural habitats, often to be sold abroad as exotic pets.

The 116 tortoises recovered in Bangkok included pancake tortoises, radiated tortoises, and Aldabra giant tortoises, all protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Reports say many of the tortoises died after being found in the smuggler’s luggage, despite urgent care provided by Thai authorities. All 116 were, nevertheless repatriated as evidence.

INTERPOL’s acting executive director of Police Services Cyril Gout, said: “Wildlife trafficking is a serious global threat that disrupts ecosystems and harms communities while enriching organised crime groups. This case demonstrates the resolve of law enforcement internationally to protect vulnerable species, stop illegal wildlife trafficking and bring criminals to justice.”

“INTERPOL plays a vital role in facilitating coordinated action against wildlife crime and will continue to support our member countries in breaking up wildlife trafficking syndicates,” said the INTERPOL official.

Following her arrest in Bangkok, the Ukrainian smuggler fled Thailand before she could be fully prosecuted.

Through intense international police collaboration and an INTERPOL Red Notice, she was located in Bulgaria in March 2023 and extradited to Tanzania three months later.

Once it was established that the smuggler belonged to a larger wildlife trafficking network, INTERPOL provided investigative and operational support.

As a result of these efforts, 14 additional suspects from countries including Egypt, Indonesia, Madagascar, and Tanzania, have also been arrested so far.