Balasore, Dec 17: In a major breakthrough, the Forest Department in Balasore has busted a racket involved in manufacturing fake ivory from elephant bones, arresting nine individuals from villages near the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, officials said on Wednesday.

According to officials, the mafia had been collecting bones of elephants that had died two to three years ago. These bones were ground and treated with chemicals to produce counterfeit ivory, which was then circulated in local and possibly international markets. More than ten people are believed to be involved in the racket.

The operation unfolded after the Forest Department arrested three hunters with firearms on December 13 in the Kuldiha area on charges of poaching. Subsequent investigation revealed their involvement in the fake ivory trade, leading to the arrest of six more individuals.

Shobhan Diganta Chand, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACFO), Balasore, described the exposure of the racket as “like unearthing Mahadev while peeling potatoes,” highlighting the unexpected scale of the discovery. Wildlife experts noted that this is perhaps the first such case reported in Odisha.

Local residents expressed shock at the revelations, while former honorary wildlife warden Dr. Prakash Mardaraj emphasized that ivory demand persists not only within India but also internationally, with deals often struck across borders. Authorities are now probing whether the racket has international links.

The arrests mark a significant step in curbing illegal wildlife trade in Odisha, where elephant conservation remains a pressing challenge. Officials stressed that the investigation would continue to determine the extent of the network and its connections beyond state boundaries.