Pangolin smuggling: Six more held, elephant tusk seized

Mayurbhanj: Continuing its crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Crime Branch on Monday night arrested six more persons in connection with the pangolin smuggling case at Ambadiha village under Udala police limits in Mayurbhanj district.

Among the six accused, Agnisar Nayak (50), Lalmohan Nayak (45) and Pratap Nayak (48) belong to the same family and the other three have been identified as Kesab Dehury, Gopinath Nayak and Nakula Dehuri of Ambadiha village.

According to sources, a special team of the Crime Branch STF led by DSP T.R. Patel conducted surprise raids in the village last night and arrested the six accused who were absconding in connection with the case. The officials also seized an elephant tusk weighing around 500 gm from their possession.

“All the accused will be forwarded to the court after interrogation. We will ensure that others involved in the racket are also arrested soon,” said an official.

Earlier on December 7, the STF had busted a pangolin smuggling racket and arrested four persons from Ambadiha village. The officials had also seized two pangolins including a baby weighing around 13 kgs from their possession.