At least one leopard skin and two elephant tusks were seized from the possession of the held smuggler duo, says report.
Acting upon regular movement of wildlife smugglers near the Mahanadi riverbed near Kaliapata temple, the STF put the area under its scanner for past few days. A raid was conducted in the area on Sunday and two poachers were detained under Sections 379/411 of the IPC and 51 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Identified as Ramesh Pratihari of Chakragada village in Cuttack and Bimbadhar Tarei of Bethia Sahi of Nayagarh were found possessing a leopard skin, two elephant tusks and other incriminating materials during the raid without having permit for the same.
The seized leopard skin and elephant tusks will be sent to Wildlife Institute of India for chemical examination, said officials.
Since starting its drive against the wildlife traders, a year ago, the STF has seized as many as 13 leopard skins, nine elephant tusks, two deer skins, three live pangolins and 5 pangolin scales. At least 27 wildlife criminals had been arrested and 27 cases lodged against them during the same period.
