Six people have been apprehended for alleged illegal purchase and transportation of endangered sea turtles.

The maritime police in east China’s Zhejiang Province disclosed

on Thursday.A total of 26 sea turtles were also confiscated, out of which five are alive.All the turtles are classified as first-class protected animals in China.According to the Zhejiang Coast Guard Bureau, while patrolling in the southern waters off Xiangshan on the evening of Feb. 18, maritime police spotted a suspicious fishing boat, which deliberately evaded inspection.The officers immediately intercepted

the fishing boat  and found the 26 sea turtles on board.The five live sea turtles have been transferred to a wildlife rescue centre.