Malaysian authorities have rescued about 450 snakes and turtles that were headed to Thailand to become culinary dishes.

Celescoriano Razond, a high-ranking Malaysian wildlife official, says the animals were discovered during a raid on a house Thursday in northern Kedah state near the shared border with Thailand. Among the animals rescued were 302 cobras and 145 turtles.

Razond says two men arrested in the raid face charges of possessing protected wildlife, an offense which carries a penalty of at least five years in jail.

The animals were about to be smuggled to Thailand, where they would be sold to restaurants.