2 hrs ago
DRI Dismantles Leopard Skin Syndicate in Maharashtra's Gondia
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, or DRI, investigated people suspected of illegally selling leopard skin.
Officers carried out an operation near Purada village in Gondia, Maharashtra.
They apprehended two people and found a leopard skin with them.
Leopard skins cannot legally be traded under India's wildlife protection law.
The skin was seized and the two people were handed to forest officials.
The forest department will take further legal action.
The DRI said it has also stopped other wildlife trafficking operations.
Those cases involved tiger bones, pangolin scales, elephant ivory and live Indian Star Tortoises.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said it dismantled a leopard-skin trafficking syndicate in Gondia, Maharashtra.
Two people were apprehended near Purada village on September 29.
Officials recovered and seized a leopard skin under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The suspects and seized skin were handed to the Forest Range Officer in Gondia for further action.
The DRI also cited recent operations involving tiger bones, pangolin scales, elephant ivory and Indian Star Tortoises.
- Who
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence apprehended two people allegedly involved in trading leopard skin.
- What
- A leopard skin was recovered and seized, and the suspected trafficking network was dismantled.
- Where
- Near Purada village in Gondia district, Maharashtra.
- When
- The operation took place on September 29, with the announcement made on Thursday.
- Why
- Officials acted against the illegal trade of a protected animal and wildlife trafficking.
Key facts
- Investigating agency
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Nagpur Regional Unit, under the Mumbai Zonal Unit
- Location
- Near Purada village, Gondia district, Maharashtra
- Date of operation
- September 29
- Apprehensions
- Two people
- Seized item
- One leopard skin
- Applicable law
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Custody after seizure
- The apprehended individuals and skin were handed to the Forest Range Officer, North Deoria Range, Gondia
Quotes
DRI official statement
An official statement issued by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
“The striking star-like pattern on the shell of the Indian Star Tortoise has made it particularly attractive in the exotic pet and wildlife-collector markets, driving illegal capture and international trafficking. The 180 live tortoises were seized under the Act, and the accused was arrested.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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