Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Zonal Unit (AZU) of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), based on inputs from CID (crime) of Gujarat Police, busted an organised wildlife contraband trade operation in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. They recovered two leopard hides and 18 leopard nails. The team nabbed five individuals involved in the illegal trade, and the seized items were handed over to the Rajasthan forest department for further investigation under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972.
The officials said that leopards are listed under Schedule I of the WPA, granting them absolute protection. The act strictly prohibits the sale, purchase, trade, or possession of any leopard parts, including hides and nails.
“Intelligence suggested that a group based in Rajasthan was attempting to trade leopard hides in violation of the WPA. In response, DRI officers discreetly monitored the suspects’ activities. Acting swiftly at an opportune moment, the officers intercepted the first broker and seller group, detaining four individuals and recovering one leopard hide and 18 leopard nails,” mentioned a release by DRI.
The release added that during the interrogation of the four apprehended persons, officers received specific information about another planned leopard hide trade 30 kilometres away in a remote area on the outskirts of a jungle.
“Moving swiftly, the DRI team employed one of the detained individuals to lure the second group of sellers to a designated location. The second part of the operation posed significant challenges since darkness fell and a large gathering of locals tried to resist the officers’ efforts. Undeterred by the tense situation, the DRI team detained one more individual and secured the second leopard hide,” mentioned the release.