: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch on Tuesday rescued a live pangolin from Kantamala of Boudh district and arrested a person in this connection.
Based on inputs, the STF carried out a raid and during search, the pangolin weighing 12.5 kg and other incriminating materials were recovered from the wildlife smuggler’s possession.
The accused could not produce any authority in support of possession of the live pangolin, for which he was detained and handed over to forest officials. The animal also handed over to the Boudh DFO for safe custody. Further investigation was on, said the STF.
In the special drive against the wildlife trade launched from 2020, the specialised agency has seized as many as 15 live pangolins.