The Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch on Monday conducted a raid near Natapada village under the Berhampur police station in Baleswar district and seized a large quantity of pangolin scales.
Two persons were also arrested in this connection. The arrestees were identified as Manibhadra Samal of Natapada and Choudhury Singh of Bandhasahi village in the district. Based on reliable inputs, a STF team along with officials of the Baleswar Forest Division conducted a raid..
During the search, three kg pangolin scales and other incriminating materials were seized from the duo's possession. The accused could not produce any valid authority in support of possession of pangolin scales. For which they were detained and handed over to forest officials for necessary legal action at their end. Further investigation is on.
During 2020, in special drives against the wildlife trade, the STF has seized as many as 15 leopard skins, nine elephant tusks, two deer skins, three live pangolins and 13 kg pangolin scales and arrested 29 wildlife traders.