Jayapur (Koraput): A special team of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from Gujarat raided a location in Jayapur and seized a leopard skin, officials said on Tuesday. One person, allegedly involved in a deal to sell the skin, was also arrested.
The person has been identified as Bibhuti Bhushan Patra, a resident of the Irrigation Colony area of Jayapur.
According to Jayapur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Prashant Kumar Patel, the DRI team conducted the operation on Monday and subsequently handed over the seized leopard skin, the accused and the vehicle allegedly used in the operation to the Jayapur Forest Division.
“Yesterday, a parallel operation was conducted here by the DRI Gujarat team. The leopard skin was seized and handed over to our department. One leopard skin and one accused were found. Further investigation is now underway to ascertain where the skin came from and establish its backward and forward linkages,” Patel said.
The DRI team reportedly caught Patra while he was allegedly attempting to sell the leopard skin.
The Forest Department has launched an investigation to ascertain the source of the skin and trace the people allegedly linked to the wildlife crime. Officials are also examining the vehicle seized during the operation as part of the probe.
Preliminary information suggests that the leopard may have been killed around six months ago. Officials are now investigating when and where the animal was killed and how the skin reached Jayapur.
The probe will also focus on establishing the backward and forward linkages of the alleged wildlife trade and identifying others who may be involved in the case.
