Chennai: The Chennai airport customs officials arrested a man yesterday and seized 65 live star tortoises and four gold idols of Lord Ganesh in two separate incidents.

The officials detained a man bound for Thailand. When he was subjected to a check and it yielded the star tortoises, which were endangered species. The reptiles were handed over to the forest department.

In another incident, on Saturday night, the officials arrested a passenger on suspicion. He had arrived from Paris. When his bags were checked, they contained the Ganesha idols worth Rs 65 lakh. He was subsequently arrested by the officials.