Khurda: The Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch arrested two wildlife smugglers for illegal possession of a leopard skin at Bolagarh in Khurda district on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. One leopard skin and other incriminating materials were seized from their possession. The two accused have been identified as Sudhir Behera and Subash Chandra Behera, residents of Nayagarh district.
Acting on a tip-off, the STF team conducted a raid at a place in Bolagarh area where the accused duo was about to strike a deal for selling the skin.
Since, the accused failed to produce valid documents in support of the animal’s skin being in their possession, they were arrested under 379/411/120(B) of IPC r/w. 51 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The seized leopard skin will be sent to Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun for chemical examination, it was learnt.
During the last one year, STF has seized 12 leopard skins, six elephant tusks, two deer skins, two live pangolins and five kilograms of pangolin scales. During the same period, 24 criminals were arrested and a total of 13 cases were registered against them.
At a time when wildlife smuggling has been rampant in most parts of Odisha, the STF, police and forest department official have intensified raids.
Notably, the Special Task Force (STF) had arrested two persons for possessing a leopard skin at Bonai Chowk near Barkote in Deogarh district March 22. The team had also recovered the skin.