Wildlife smuggler nabbed in Odisha, leopard skin, country-made pistol recovered

The Special Task Force (STF) on Monday arrested a wildlife criminal from the Daringbadi area in the Kandhamal district. One leopard skin and a country-made pistol have also been recovered from his possession.

The accused has been identified as Gheneswar Pradhan (35) of Gohibadi village. Pradhan was nabbed by the STF team with assistance from Kandhamal Police and Forest Department officials.

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As per sources, the accused was nabbed while trying to strike a deal for the leopard skin. Moreover, he was apprehended by the special team officers who posed as customers.

During the search, the leopard skin and the country-made pistol were recovered from the wildlife smuggler’s possession, said STF SP, KK Panigrahi.

A case has been registered under section 379/411 of the Indian Penal Code section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959, and section 51 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

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Senior STF officials said that the skin will be sent to Director WII, Derhadun for biological examination. Similarly the seized country-made pistol will be sent to SFSL, Rasulgarh for ballistic examination.