Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) seized 150 tortoises of a rare species from Mandartala area in Sadar upazila of Jessore district early yesterday.
Rab-6 sources said tipped off that some rare species tortoises were being smuggled into the country from India, a team of the elite force conducted a drive in the area and intercepted a truck at about 12:30am.
Sensing the presence of the Rab members, the smugglers managed to flee from the scene.
Later, the Rab members recovered 150 tortoises of a rare species, stuffed in eight sacks, after searching the vehicle.
The seized tortoises were handed over to the Forest Department. A case was filed in this connection.