Bhubaneswar: In a major breakthrough, the Special Crime Unit (SCU) of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police, has busted a wildlife trafficking racket with the arrest of three persons on charges of trading leopard skin.
Acting on specific intelligence, a team led by DCP, SCU, Anup Kanungo, conducted a raid at Hotel Mayfair Basti on Thursday evening and apprehended the accused, who were caught red-handed while attempting to conduct the illegal trade.
The arrested persons, including Rohit Mohapatra, have been involved in this nefarious trade for a considerable period. One leopard skin was seized from their possession.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Mohapatra and his associates Manjit Sabat, Sambhu Bisoy had been engaged in this illegal activity for some time. All the accused were produced before the court on Friday.
SCU officials have initiated necessary legal action under the relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Further investigation is underway to verify the accused’s criminal antecedents and network.
Briefing the media, Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh revealed that the Special Crime Unit had conducted the raid based on a tip-off about a leopard skin deal, resulting in the arrest of three persons and the seizure of a full-size leopard skin. The police had intercepted Rs 30 lakh deal, and investigations are currently underway to determine the origin and intended destination of the contraband. Preliminary findings suggest that the leopard skin was procured from outside the state, and further probes are focused on uncovering its forward and backward linkages, which are expected to yield more significant breakthroughs.”
