Dehradun police have arrested a person and recovered seven cows and a vehicle from his possession on Thursday.
The accused has been identified as Shahzad, resident of Nehrugram. Another accused of the crime, Salim, resident of Nehru Colony, managed to escape as he fled towards the forest area near Asharodi while police were arresting Shahzad.
Notably, absconder Salim was earlier sent to jail in connection with the smuggling of cows in the area.
Police sources said that the accused used to bring cows from various places of the neighbouring states and carried them in vehicles for slaughter in the state.
SP City Ajay Singh said that police have received a tip- off about smuggling of cows being carried out in Clement Town area.
Acting on a tip- off, SSP formed a team and its members began conducting vehicle checking drives in various places.
At Asharodi check post, a driver of a vehicle carrying cows started to escape from the place, seeing police conducting the drive. Police, however, arrested Shahzad.
In course of interrogation, the accused is learnt to have revealed that he had brought cows from Saharanpur. Team has been formed to arrest the absconder Salim.
A case under appropriate sections of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been registered against the accused in Clement Town police station, Singh added.