TV
In a major crackdown on wildlife offenses, the special task force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch arrested two individuals from Nayagarh district for allegedly selling tiger skin on Thursday. The suspects were caught red-handed during a surveillance operation.
Also Read: Teacher by profession, smuggler by trade: Tiger skin racket busted in Odisha
According to official sources, in a significant operation, the Crime Branch STF has arrested two persons from Nayagarh for their alleged involvement in the tiger skin trade. The suspects, identified as Rajesh Nayak and Gangadhar Nayak, were apprehended. A surprise raid led to their arrest, and the accused duo will be forwarded to court later in the day.
Police have been keeping a close watch on the illegal wildlife trade activities in the region. The two men were caught red-handed while negotiating with different parties for a deal.
“The deal was underway at Banigochha locality of Nayagarh,” an STF official said.
Earlier in another incident, a shocking revelation had emerged from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, where a government schoolteacher was arrested by local police as the mastermind behind an illegal tiger skin smuggling racket, on July 16.
The Forest Department had apprehended seven individuals and recovered three rare tiger skins from the possession of the accused persons.
Acting on an intelligence input provided by its Similipal special task force (STF), the Forest Department had conducted surprise raids in Udala, Badasahi, and Betanoti, uncovering a major wildlife trafficking network.
Out of the seven arrested, Raisen Chaparai was believed to be the kingpin.
The operation had led to the seizure of at least three skins of the leopard species, highly valued on the black market. Initial arrests of two suspects during the raids provided information that led to the identification of other accused individuals.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the racket had links to Chhattisgarh, pointing to a wider inter-state network.
