One of the tortoises seized by police at Stansted Airport
A COUPLE suspected of smuggling tortoises from Corfu have been released on police bail.
The 41-year-old man and 42-year-old woman from Walthamstow were arrested at Stansted Airport on Friday after police were tipped off by the RSPCA that the pair could be carrying some of the endangered species.
Four tortoises were discovered in a suitcase and three in hand luggage.
After the couple were arrested, police raided their home in Walthamstow, where they found two more tortoises and an Asian pit viper.
The couple were held for questionning by Essex Police on Saturday.
Both have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
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