Hundreds of tortoises rescued from 'Ninja Turtle Gang'

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian authorities have rescued hundreds of smuggled tortoises meant for sale in Southeast Asia, disrupting an international crime ring called the "Ninja Turtle Gang," a wildlife official said on Thursday.

Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, director-general of the country's wildlife and national parks department, said 400 tortoises worth 3.8 million ringgit ($805,084) and bound for the lucrative exotic pet trade were seized during an operation by the police and wildlife officials last Saturday.