BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Seven men in a truck containing 9,000 protected sea turtle eggs have been arrested by police at highway checkpoint in the southern Mexico state of Guerrero.

    Sea turtles are a protected species in Mexico, but their eggs have long been considered a delicacy and an aphrodisiac by some consumers. The suspects face prison terms of up to nine years if convicted of possessing the eggs.

    Several kinds of sea turtle lay their eggs on the Mexican coast. Authorities did not specify the species, but it appeared likely they were from Olive Ridley turtles.

    Last week, 59 Olive Ridley turtles apparently killed in fishing nets washed up on beaches in and around the resort of Acapulco. It was unclear which fishing boats were involved.

    The sea turtles were declared a protected species in 1990. Fishermen are required to include turtle escape devices in their nets.

    (Agencies)