Acting on a tip off, Dehradun police arrested three men with 2.5 kg ivory from GMS Road on Wednesday. The wildlife contraband is estimated to be valued at `three lakh in the international market.
The accused, identified as Delhi native Sachin Kumar alias Anju aged about 36 years, Faizabad (Uttar Pradesh) native Ram Prasad aged about 39 years and Pauri Garhwal resident Ravi Kumar aged 25 years, were arrested under sections 3/39/51 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, said Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Rautela while interacting with mediapersons.
Rautela said that police received a tip off about three people carrying ivory around in places including Rishikesh and Haridwar with the intent to sell it. Acting on the tip off, a team headed by Vasant Vihar police station in-charge and Sub-Inspector Pradeep Chauhan began conducting checking drive at various places in the State capital.
According to the SSP, three suspects accosted at GMS Road failed to answer satisfactorily when they were questioned by police. Police found ivory on searching their bag. During interrogation, they admitted their offence and said that they were told by a middleman to sell the ivory in Dehradun. The accused who were arrested under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 were sent to Suddhowala Jail after being presented in the court.