GUWAHATI: The Assam Forest Department has reported the busting of an inter-state wildlife smuggling ring and the arrest of an alleged kingpin behind the racket. A total of three persons were arrested in this connection on Saturday, November 6.
The arrests came after personnel of the Forest Department posed as buyers and struck a deal worth Rs 1 crore for the purchase of pangolins. Pangolins, sometimes known as scaly anteaters, are a protected species.
The smugglers were caught by the Chirang Forest Department during the deal proceedings. One pangolin has been rescued from the smugglers during this operation.
One Shanku Dutta, Shandip Saha, and Aradhan Sarkar have been arrested in connection 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.
As per Forest Department sources, the smugglers had six pangolins in their possession and the Department is trying to rescue the remaining ones.