Over 3,000 smuggled tortoises seized in China

Shenzhen (China): More than 3,300 live tortoises smuggled from Hong Kong were seized in China's Guangdong province, officials said.

The tortoises, weighing 86 kgs in total, were discovered by Huanggang Customs in Shenzhen at about 1 a.m. on Thursday in a truck, Wang Shaowen, an official with the customs office, was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. 

The truck had been declared "empty" but when it was inspected a hidden compartment was discovered, which was where the tortoises were concealed.

The truck driver said he was carrying the tortoises "for someone else", Wang said.

The tortoises are in quarantine while the investigation continues.