A wildlife seizure in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district has led to an international crackdown on a transnational aquatic wildlife trafficking syndicate. Interpol has issued a red corner notice against a Bangladeshi national accused of smuggling endangered Indian reptile species across South and Southeast Asia.
Red Corner Notice Issued
Interpol headquarters in France issued the red corner notice on April 29, 2026, against Al Haj Shafiqul Islam Rahman Talukdar, also known as Remin Talukdar. The request was made by Madhya Pradesh's State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) through the central government.
Origin of the Investigation
The breakthrough occurred during an STSF operation in Morena in July 2025. Officials intercepted three accused allegedly involved in trafficking rare aquatic wildlife species. The team rescued and seized 30 gharial hatchlings (Gavialis gangeticus), 17 red-crowned roofed turtles (Batagur kachuga), and 19 three-striped roofed turtles (Batagur dhongoka). A wildlife offence case was registered on July 12, 2025, and investigations were launched.
International Network Uncovered
During the probe, investigators found that the accused were part of an organised international network engaged in smuggling rare freshwater wildlife species from India through West Bengal into Bangladesh. From there, the animals were allegedly trafficked onward to Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and several other Southeast Asian countries.
Expansion of Operations
Officials said the STSF subsequently expanded its operations into other states and has so far arrested six accused linked to the racket. Among them was Taraknath Ghosh, described by officials as one of the country's biggest aquatic wildlife smugglers. Ghosh, a resident of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, was arrested by the STSF from Kanpur Central railway station in Uttar Pradesh in March 2026. Several wildlife crime cases had already been registered against him.
Mastermind Identified
Interrogation of the arrested accused, along with scientific and digital evidence collected during the investigation, led officials to identify Talukdar as the alleged mastermind of the international syndicate. Investigators alleged that Talukdar coordinated the trafficking of aquatic wildlife species across multiple countries in South and Southeast Asia through an extensive cross-border network.
Legal and International Coordination
Based on evidence gathered by the STSF, the court of the chief judicial magistrate in Shivpuri issued an arrest warrant against Talukdar. Madhya Pradesh forest department officials then coordinated with central agencies and established contact with Interpol. Officials also sought assistance from foreign law enforcement agencies to gather information regarding Talukdar and his international operations.
Interpol's Action
Authorities said that considering the scale of the network allegedly operated by Talukdar across several countries, Interpol issued the red corner notice after sustained efforts by the STSF and the MP forest department. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), New Delhi, also provided continuous assistance during the investigation.
Forest officials said Interpol has previously appreciated the work of Madhya Pradesh's State Tiger Strike Force on four occasions for its efforts in combating wildlife crime. The seizure included some of India's rarest freshwater reptile species, including the critically endangered gharial.
