Bokaro police said that following a tip-off, Officer-in Charge of Sector IV and his team laid a trap at a hotel and caught the two accused on Sunday and during a search, recovered the rare snake red sand boa.
Police sources said that the Sector IV police here on Friday arrested the two accused and recovered a rare snake from their possession, worth Rs 1.6 crore. The arrested accused have been identified as Sunil Paswan and Md Sahabuddin.
During inquiry it was revealed that the accused had caught the red sand boa from unknown places and were searching for a buyer. In the last few of years, smuggling of rare snakes has seen a rise in Bokaro. The demand is driven by blind faith that non-venomous snake with a thick tail and that appears to have two heads is useful in black magic rituals and brings good luck if kept at home.
The snake is also believed to help locate hidden treasures, said an expert. Celebrities, astrologers and businessmen from some communities keep this snake for good luck and protection.