Leopard skin smuggling rampant in Odisha

Kalahandi: Just days after the Special Task Force of Crime Branch busted a leopard skin smuggling racket from Sambalpur, police have seized another leopard hide from Ambadola-Dhanrabhata road under Lanjigarh block of Kalahandi district early today morning.

As per reports, a team of Biswanathpur police intercepted two persons travelling on a bike from Ambadola during vehicle inspection. However, after coming face to face with police the two fled the spot immediately leaving behind a sack and the vehicle.

After inspection, police seized a leopard hide from the sack and informed the forest officials.

Kalahandi District Forest Officer (DFO) T. Ashok Kumar along with his team reached Biswanathpur police station and recovered the leopard skin and the vehicle. After preliminary investigation, the forest department has detained three persons in connection with the matter.

The Special Task Force (STF) of crime branch has arrested 10 persons in last one month on charges of operating racket for smuggling of tiger hide.