Doomdooma: A joint team of Assam Police‘s Special Operations Group (SOG) East, Guwahati Police and Sonapur Police foiled a suspected wildlife trafficking attempt at Medhikuchi in Sonapur on Saturday.
The team intercepted two alleged smugglers and recovered six musk deer pods weighing 158 grams, police said.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the team laid a trap at Medhikuchi. The operation was led by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) and the Officer-in-Charge of Sonapur Police Station.
The team intercepted the suspected consignment while it was allegedly being transported out of Assam.
Police identified the two detained persons as Moga Doye, 48, of Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Siang, and Nokphua Wangsa, 44, of Changlang.
According to police, six suspected musk deer glands weighing 158 grams in total were recovered from their possession. The consignment was allegedly being transported out of Assam, raising concerns about the use of the state as a transit route for illegal wildlife trade.
The seizure is significant because musk deer and their derivatives are covered by strict wildlife protection measures in India and internationally. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, lists Moschus species among protected wildlife, while Indian populations are also covered under CITES Appendix I.
Musk is obtained from a gland of mature male musk deer. It has historically been used for its distinctive fragrance and in traditional products.
The seized material was intercepted at Medhikuchi, while its origin and intended destination are expected to form part of the investigation.
Police said legal action has been initiated in connection with the seizure.
Further investigation is expected to establish the exact species of the recovered material, its source and intended destination, as well as the wider network, if any, behind the alleged trafficking attempt.
The Guwahati Police Commissionerate confirmed the seizure on Saturday evening.