Mangaluru: Police have arrested three individuals for allegedly attempting to sell pangolin scales near Kadri Park in the city. The accused have been identified as H.R. Jagadish, 50; Siddu Naik, 38; and Babu, 48, all residents of Bengaluru.
Arrest and Seizure
The trio was arrested on Tuesday by the CID forest mobile squad, Mangaluru, and later remanded to judicial custody. During the operation, police seized 5.2 kilograms of pangolin scales from the accused, along with a car valued at approximately Rs 3 lakh. The scales are believed to be from the Indian pangolin, a species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Operation Details
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Pavan Nejjur, Superintendent of Police, CID forest unit, Bengaluru and Madikeri. The team included Sub-Inspector Dilip G.R. and staff members Taranath S. and Abdul Rawoof from the Mangaluru CID forest mobile squad. The arrest highlights ongoing efforts to combat wildlife trafficking in the region.
Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals in the world, with their scales highly sought after in traditional medicine. The accused face charges under relevant wildlife protection laws. Further investigation is underway to determine the source of the scales and any links to larger trafficking networks.
