Doomdooma: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has intensified its nationwide action against illegal wildlife trafficking, uncovering a major cross-border network involved in the movement of protected species and wildlife derivatives, officials said.
Over the past 10 days, the agency carried out six intelligence-driven operations across the country, resulting in the seizure of two leopard pelts, 180 live Indian Star Tortoises, 12 live Tokay Geckos, nearly 24 kg of pangolin scales and around 500 grams of tiger bones. Thirteen people were arrested in connection with the operations, according to a Ministry of Finance release issued on Wednesday.
In Assam, DRI officials intercepted two people at Keokhali on September 5 and recovered 12 live Tokay Geckos. The species is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and listed under Appendix II of CITES.
The seized geckos and the two accused were subsequently handed over to the Range Forest Officer of the Biswanath Wildlife Division for further legal proceedings.
Another operation in Assam’s Karbi Anglong on August 28 led to the recovery of around 9 kg of pangolin scales and approximately 500 grams of tiger bone, including skull and teeth. DRI personnel intercepted three people travelling in a vehicle and seized both the wildlife derivatives and the vehicle. The accused were later handed over to the Forest Range Officer at Bokolia.
In neighbouring Meghalaya, DRI officials intercepted a Bolero truck travelling towards Mawhati in Ri-Bhoi district on September 7. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 14.68 kg of dried pangolin scales concealed in three bags.
The person apprehended in the Meghalaya operation, along with the seized wildlife material, was handed over to the Range Forest Officer in Nongpoh for further action.
The enforcement drive also extended to other parts of the country. DRI officials recovered 180 live Indian Star Tortoises near Gandhinagar in Bengaluru, while leopard pelts were seized during separate operations in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
The latest seizures highlight the different forms and routes used in illegal wildlife trafficking, the DRI said. The agency stressed the importance of continued coordination between enforcement agencies, forest departments and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to disrupt trafficking networks and protect endangered and protected species.