Guwahati: In a significant breakthrough for the forest officials, a man from Manipur was arrested in Naxalbari village in Darjeeling district while attempting to illegally transport a rhinoceros horn into Nepal.
The apprehended smuggler is later identified as Ajit Kumar Singh belonging to Manipur.
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The forest officials received a tip-off and they started a joint operation initiated by the 41st battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Tukriajhar forest department.
The designated raid happened at Satbhaiya toll plaza in Naxalbari, which ensured the arrest of the individual.
According to reports, a search operation by the authorities resulted in the recovery of a rhinoceros horn weighing 1 kilogram and 25 grams from the suspect.
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It has been learnt that the recovered rhino horn will now be sent to the Zoological Survey of India for further analysis.
Cross-border smuggling of animal parts has been a major concern over the last couple of years and the forest officials believe that they can now find clues to the bigger nexus of the smuggling network by interrogating the arrested individual.
The designated authorities are now planning to intensify their search efforts.
The arrested person has been remanded in custody for further interrogation.