Kolkata, July 13 (IANS) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in coordination with other agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has busted an interstate wildlife trafficking syndicate across West Bengal and Maharashtra.

Several wildlife species, listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including 15 Slow Lorises, two Binturongs, 28 Star Tortoises, six Egyptian Vultures and two Shikra birds were recovered and rescued.

The intelligence in the case was developed by DRI, and the matter is now being investigated by the CBI. Six persons were subsequently arrested by the CBI.

The DRI has also foiled multiple attempts by passengers arriving from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo to smuggle protected wildlife into India through international airports.

In these operations, species like Albino Red-eared Turtles, Hypo Zero Bearded Dragons, African Spurred Tortoises, Borneo Pythons, Green Iguanas, Mangrove Monitor Lizards, Argentine Black and White Tegus, Goeldi’s Marmosets, Yellow Cheeked Gibbons, Indonesian Blue Tongued Skinks, Siamang Gibbons, Woolley Monkeys, Silvery Lutungs, Yellow Belly Ball Pythons, Pastel Ball Pythons and other species were seized and rescued.

The agency’s coordinated operations in Bengaluru, Warangal, Pune, Surat, Chennai, Kolkata, Trichy, Madurai, Srikakulam, Hojai (Assam), Rajasthan, Mysuru, and Howrah have also led to the seizure and recoveries of wildlife products including pangolin scales, leopard pelt, seahorse-based wildlife articles, red sanders, and protected species of gibbons, lizards, tortoises, birds, squirrels, snakes and red sand boas.

The total number of seizures in these operations has reached 440.

The DRI has also seized 15 kg of ivory tusks and items made with it over the last few days. As many as 33 persons have been arrested. In another operation, the DRI intercepted persons engaged in the illegal trade of elephant ivory near Sujangarh, Rajasthan.

About 11 kg of elephant tusks were seized, and four persons were arrested. They have been handed over to the forest department along with the seized ivory, for further action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

In another operation in Mysuru, Karnataka, the DRI officers seized 4 kg of ivory and apprehended three persons involved in the illegal ivory trade before handing them over to the forest department for further action.

In another raid in Howrah, West Bengal, DRI officers apprehended two persons and seized two idols made of ivory. These were suspected to have been smuggled into India from Bangladesh.

–IANS

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