Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch with the help of Deogarh Forest Officials seized one leopard skin, one elephant tusk, and pangolin scales weighing around 1.77 kg on Thursday.
On the basis of reliable information, a team of STF conducted a raid with the help of Deogarh Forest Officials on NH 49 near Telibani in the district yesterday. As a result of which one wildlife criminal namely Madan Kumar Jayapura of Barghat village under Reamal Police Station of the district was apprehended.
During the search, one leopard skin, one elephant tusk, pangolin scales weighing around 1.77 kg, and other incriminating articles were recovered from his possession.
The accused person could not produce any authority in support of the possession of the above Wildlife products, for which he was detained and handed over to Deogarh Forest Officials for legal action at their end.
The wildlife products will be sent to Wild Life Institute of India, Deharadun for
chemical examination.
Since 2020, a special drive against wildlife criminals/poachers has been launched. STF has seized as many as 25 leopard skins, 13 elephant tasks, 7 deer skins, 9 live pangolins, and more than 16 kg pangolin scales with the arrest of as many as 55 wildlife criminals.
