The Assam Forest Department has stated the busting of an inter-state wildlife smuggling ring of pangolins and the arrest of an alleged kingpin who was behind the whole racket.
An overall of 3 people had been arrested on Saturday, November 6.
Forest officials disguised as buyers
As per reports by Gplus, the arrests were made after employees of the Forest Department disguised themselves as consumers and struck a deal worth Rs 1 crore to buy the pangolins.
Pangolins, also referred to as scaly anteaters, are protected species.
One pangolin rescued
The smugglers were caught red handed by the Chirang Forest Department while the deal proceedings were on.
One pangolin has been rescued from the smugglers in this operation.
3 arrested
Shanku Dutta, Shandip Saha, and Aradhan Sarkar were arrested in relation to this matter.
The first two are from West Bengal and the third one is from Chungaputa, Bongaigaon. The mastermind of this racket is reportedly from Malda, West Bengal.
“We have busted the mastermind who has been operating the racket where pangolins are taken from Assam and sold to West Bengal via Bongaigaon,” Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Chirang Bhrahmananda Patir told G Plus.
According to the sources of the Forest Department, the smugglers had six pangolins with them and the Department is making an attempt to rescue the final ones.