Bhubaneswar: The special task force (STF) of Odisha Police arrested Friday a person for possessing pangolin scales from a place near Balichua village under Sarat police limits in Mayurbhanj district. Pangolin scales weighing 4.82 kilograms were also seized from his possession. The arrested has been identified as Suren Purty, son of late Dubala Purty of Balichua village.
Acting on a tip-off, the STF team with the help of personnel from Baripada Forest Division conducted a raid during which the pangolin scales and other incriminating materials were seized from Suren’s possession.
Since the accused person could not produce any valid document in support of possession of pangolin scales, he was apprehended and subsequently handed over to forest officials for necessary legal action. Further investigation underway, it was learnt.
During the last one year, STF has seized as many as 14 leopard skins, nine tusks, two deer skins, three live pangolin and 10 kilograms of pangolin scales. So far 27 persons associated with wild life criminal acts have been arrested.
PNN