New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – In a significant crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seized a large cache of contraband, including two leopard skins, otter skins, and pangolin scales, during a raid in Pinjore, Haryana. The operation, carried out on Monday based on a tip-off, also led to the arrest of four members of an organized smuggling network, officials said.
According to authorities, the CBI acted on specific intelligence regarding the illicit trade of wildlife body parts. During the raid, officials confiscated two leopard skins, nine leopard canine teeth, 25 claws of the big cats, three jaw pieces, three otter skins, and pangolin scales, among other illegal wildlife items.
"Three individuals—identified as Peerdas, Wazira, and Ram Dayal—were arrested at the scene. A fourth gang member, Rohtas, was later apprehended at Kalka Railway Station," a CBI spokesperson stated. The agency also revealed that one of the accused had previously been chargesheeted by Nepal Police in connection with wildlife crimes.
The seized items fall under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which lists highly endangered species and imposes stringent penalties for poaching and illegal trade.
CBI officials confirmed that an extensive investigation is underway to trace the origins of the wildlife contraband and uncover the broader supply chain, including financial transactions linked to the illicit trade.
This operation marks a crucial step in curbing the rampant illegal wildlife trade in the region, reinforcing strict enforcement against such environmental crimes.
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