DRI seizes leopard pelts, live tortoises and pangolin scales in six operations

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized a range of protected wildlife and wildlife derivatives in six operations spread across the country over ten days, arresting thirteen people in the process.

The haul included two leopard pelts, 180 live Indian star tortoises, 12 live tokay geckos, around 24 kg of pangolin scales and 500 grams of tiger bones. The operations were carried out on the basis of specific intelligence, with the DRI working alongside state forest departments and other agencies.

In Jeypore, in Odisha's Koraput district, officers intercepted a person on 7 September and recovered one leopard pelt from his possession. Leopards are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits trade, sale, purchase, possession or transportation of their pelts or parts. The pelt and the accused were handed over to the state forest department in Koraput.

On the same day, a person was intercepted near Gandhinagar in Bengaluru after 180 live Indian star tortoises were found concealed in six cloth covers in his baggage. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau identified the species as Geochelone elegans. The tortoise's star-patterned shell makes it highly sought after in exotic pet and collector markets, driving illegal capture and international trafficking. The tortoises were seized and the accused arrested.

Also on 7 September, a Bolero truck heading towards Mawhati in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district was intercepted and 14.68 kg of dried pangolin scales, packed in three carry bags, was recovered. Pangolins are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and listed in Appendix I of CITES. Their scales are in heavy demand for traditional medicine in parts of Asia, making the species one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. The scales, the accused and the vehicle were handed over to the Range Forest Officer in Nongpoh.

In Madhya Pradesh, an operation targeting an illegal leopard skin trade network on 5–6 September saw the DRI coordinate with the forest department in Sidhi district. Four people were intercepted, and one leopard skin was recovered from two of them, who were travelling in a Mahindra Thar. Follow-up searches led to the identification and interception of two more members of the syndicate and the recovery of evidence linked to alleged poaching, possession, transportation and planned sale of leopard skin and parts. The skin and vehicle were seized and the accused handed over to the Sidhi forest department.

On 5 September, acting on specific intelligence, officers intercepted two people in Keokhali, Assam, and recovered 12 live tokay geckos. The species is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and Appendix II of CITES. Tokay geckos are trafficked mainly for use in traditional medicine in parts of Asia, particularly in dried form, though they also have some demand as exotic pets. The geckos and the two accused were handed over to the Range Forest Officer, Biswanath Wildlife Division.

Earlier, on 28 August, three people travelling in a vehicle in Karbi Anglong district, Assam, were intercepted, leading to the recovery of around 9 kg of pangolin scales and approximately 0.5 kg of tiger bone with skull and teeth. The articles and the vehicle were seized and the accused handed over to the Forest Range Officer in Bokolia.

The DRI said the range of recoveries — from live endangered animals to skins, scales and tiger parts — reflects the varied forms in which wildlife is trafficked and underscores the need for sustained inter-agency coordination. The agency has been working with forest departments, the WCCB and other enforcement agencies under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to disrupt trafficking networks.