TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Thai authorities arrested three Taiwanese suspects on Friday as part of a crackdown on a wildlife smuggling ring.

The three men were stopped at a security checkpoint at Don Mueang International Airport by police officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division. They were found carrying 52 protected animals wrapped in stockings and hidden under their clothing as they prepared to board a flight to Taipei, reported Thaiger.

The suspects were identified as a 53-year-old surnamed Hsu (許), a 40-year-old Hong (洪), and a 36-year-old surnamed Yang (楊), per ETToday. The trio were offered NT$28,000 per animal, which would be sold to exotic pet collectors in Taiwan.

Police were on the lookout for wildlife smugglers headed to Taiwan after a similar arrest was made two weeks ago. On Oct. 7, a 54-year-old Taiwanese man surnamed Chiu (邱) was arrested for attempting to smuggle eight protected animals including two slow lorises, a squirrel, three otters, and two Asian box turtles, reported Thaiger.

In both incidents, the animals were sedated before they were hidden under the suspects’ clothing. On Friday, the three suspects were carrying 45 baby tortoises of four different species, and seven crocodile lizards.

The men told police that they successfully completed two similar deliveries to Taiwan. According to Thai law, the men may face 10 to 15 years in prison for trafficking in protected wildlife.