The Special Task Force of the Odisha Crime Branch on Thursday arrested two people on charges of smuggling deer skins in Puri district.
On the basis of reliable information, a team of STF with the help of Balipatna Forest Range Officials under Khordha Forest Division conducted raid near Pipili Flyover and detained two people on suspicion of wildlife smuggling.
During the search, the probe officials seized as many as five deer hides from Krushna Chandra Swain and Sunil Kumar Palei, both natives from Puri district.
Apart from that, one Motor Cycle and other incriminating articles were recovered from their possession.
The accused could not produce any authority in support of the possession of deer skins, for which they were handed over to Khordha Forest Officials along with seized items for necessary legal action at their end.
As per a statement by the Crime Branch, as many as 21 leopard skins, 12 elephant tasks, 7 deer skins, 8 numbers of live pangolins and 15 kg pangolin scales have been seized from smugglers since 2020.
Similarly, at least 50 wildlife criminals/ poachers have arrested by the Crime Branch during the period.