Jamshedpur Wildlife Smuggling Ring Busted: Three Arrested, Rare Birds Seized
Forest officials in Jamshedpur have cracked down on a wildlife smuggling operation. They arrested three individuals and seized a significant cache of protected species. The action followed specific intelligence from national authorities.
Coordinated Raids Lead to Multiple Arrests
Acting on a tip from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, a forest department team conducted a raid on Sunday. They targeted a petrol pump at the Sakchi roundabout in Jamshedpur. During this operation, officials apprehended two suspects: Md Guddu, aged 38, and Abhay Gupta, aged 30.
The team discovered a carton containing 35 alexandrine parakeets with the arrested duo. This initial seizure prompted further investigation based on information provided by the suspects.
Major Haul from Sakchi Godown
Following leads from the first arrests, officials raided a godown in the Sakchi area. There, they arrested a third individual, Sameer Ansari, who is 18 years old. The raid at the storage facility yielded a substantial collection of wildlife.
Forest officials recovered several protected birds from the godown. The seized items included seven plum-headed parakeets, four more alexandrine parakeets, and eleven rose-ringed parakeets. Authorities also found eleven cockatiels and one deer antler at the location.
Divisional Forest Officer Saba Alam confirmed the details of the operation. He stated that the wildlife species originated from forest areas in the Kolhan division. These areas include Dalma, Chandil, and Ghatsila.
Legal Framework and Ongoing Investigation
All seized articles fall under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This classification indicates they are protected species, making their trade illegal. The three arrested individuals are residents of Jamshedpur and Seraikela town.
Authorities have forwarded the accused to jail under relevant sections of the Wildlife Act. Meanwhile, raids continue to apprehend two more suspects, including the owner of the godown used in the smuggling operation.
Links to Interstate Gang Uncovered
Preliminary investigations suggest the arrested individuals are part of a larger interstate smuggling network. Forest officials indicate the kingpin of this operation is allegedly based in Kolkata.
The accused have confessed to involvement in the illegal wildlife trade for several years. Their admission points to a sustained criminal activity targeting protected species. Further investigation into the network's operations is currently underway.
This bust highlights ongoing efforts by forest authorities to combat wildlife crime in the region. It underscores the challenges of protecting biodiversity against organized smuggling attempts.
