The raid by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Haryana created a stir. The CBI conducted this raid against wildlife smugglers in Pinjore. Two leopard skins, otter skins and pangolin scales were recovered from Pinjore during the raid. The CBI team also arrested four smugglers of the gang.
CBI team officials say, this could be an organized network of smuggling. He said that this action was taken after receiving information about illegal trade of wildlife organs. The CBI team has taken this action on intelligence information.
The Wildlife Crime Unit of the Central Bureau of Investigation, along with officials of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), carried out an important action related to illegal hunting and wildlife trade under a special operation in the early hours of February 3. During this operation, a vehicle was stopped and searched in Pinjore, Haryana, from which wildlife organs were recovered.
The recovered skins are worth Rs 30 crore
Based on the information, the CBI team raided Pinjore, where two leopard skins, nine leopard teeth, 25 claws, jaw pieces, three otter skins and pangolin scales were seized. Wildlife officials say that the international price of a leopard skin is around Rs 10 crore. The wildlife skins and other items recovered by the CBI are said to be worth around Rs 30 crore.
Case has been registered in Nepal
The CBI spokesperson said in a statement that three accused Peerdas, Wazira and Ram Dayal were arrested on the spot and another gang member Rohtas was arrested from Kalka railway station. One of the accused has already been chargesheeted by the Nepal Police in connection with wildlife crime. Action was taken against the accused under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This law prohibits hunting of endangered species and provides for stringent punishment for offenders.