Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch on Wednesday seized one leopard skin with the arrest of one wildlife criminal near Siptiguda village under Baliguda Wild Life Range in Kandhamal district.
On the basis of reliable information about a deal of sale of leopard skin by wildlife criminals, the STF team had conducted a raid with the help of Baliguda Forest officials near Siptiguda today.
As a result of which, one accused person namely Bidyadhar Nayak of Hatapada Sahi under Baliguda block of the district was apprehended.
During the search, one leopard skin and other incriminating materials were seized from his possession. The accused person could not produce any valid authority in support of the possession of leopard skin, for which he was detained and handed over to forest officials for necessary legal action at their end.
During the last one year, a special drive against wildlife criminals/poachers have been launched, STF has seized as many as 16 leopard skins, nine elephant tusks, two deer skins, four live pangolins, and 15 kg pangolin scales and arrested 33 wildlife criminals.
STF is the specialized wing of Odisha Police to curb the organized crime in the
State. Wildlife crimes remain one of the focus areas of STF and STF will continue its drive against wildlife crime and criminals.
