Assam Police Seize Six Musk Deer Pods, Arrest Two in Wildlife Trafficking Case

Assam Police have arrested two men from Arunachal Pradesh and seized six musk deer pods in an operation near Guwahati, officials said on Saturday.

The accused have been identified as Moga Doye, 48, a resident of Lower Siang district, and Nokphua Wangsa, 44, from Changlang district. They were intercepted while transporting the pods, which together weighed 158 grams.

According to a police spokesperson, a team drawn from the Special Operations Group and local police foiled the suspected wildlife trafficking attempt at Medhikuchi, roughly 30 km east of Guwahati.

A musk deer pod is a specialised scent gland located in the abdomen of the male musk deer. It produces a strong-smelling, reddish-brown secretion that is used in traditional perfumes and medicines.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the pods were being moved out of Assam, pointing to concerns about illegal wildlife trade passing through the State.

The musk deer, which belongs to the family Moschidae, is listed in CITES Appendix I, covering species at the highest risk of extinction and threatened by international trade. CITES refers to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The animal is also protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Legal action has been initiated in connection with the seizure, the spokesperson said, adding that further investigation is under way to establish the species the pods belong to, their source and their intended destination.