JAKARTA -- Indonesian authorities have arrested a Japanese man who conservationists say is a major player in the illegal wildlife trade for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 250 reptiles out of the country.
The head of law enforcement at Jakarta's airport, Ridwan Alaydrus, said Thursday that Katsuhide Naito was arrested after customs officers found 181 lizards, 65 snakes and seven turtles in his luggage.
He said the wildlife seized Tuesday included 12 different species, including several that are endangered.
The Wildlife Conservation Society said Mr Naito is a "big player'' in wildlife smuggling and was previously arrested in Australia in 2005.