Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Crime Branch with the help of Bargarh Forest Officials rescued a live pangolin during a raid in Bargarh on Tuesday.
On the basis of reliable information, a raid had been conducted by the roadside near Khansumen Devi temple at Negipalli on Bargarh-Bheden road under Bheden police limits.
As a result, one accused person namely Jagat Thela of Negipalli was apprehended. During the search, one live Pangolin and other incriminating materials were seized from his possession.
Thela could not produce any valid authority in support of the possession of live Pangolin, for which he was detained and handed over to Bargarh forest officials for necessary legal action at their end.
The pangolin was also handed over to DFO, Bargarh for safe custody while further investigation is on.
Since 2020, a special drive against wildlife criminals/poachers has been launched. STF has seized as many as 22 leopard skins, 12 elephant tusks, seven deer skins, nine live pangolins, and 15 kg pangolin scales and arrested 52 wildlife criminals.
