Bolangir: On the basis of reliable information, a team of Special Task Force (STF) conducted raid with the help Bolangir Forest Officials on the road near Baragoan Chhaka under Deogoan PS of Bolangir District of Odisha on Wednesday.
In the raid one wildlife criminal identified as Ajit Kumar Budek, a resident of Tamian PS. Larambha of Bolangir was apprehended.
During the search, one live pangolin and other incriminating articles were recovered from his possession.
The accused person could not produce any authority in support of possession of the live pangolin, for which he has been detained and handed over to Bolangir Forest Officials for legal action at their end.
The Live Pangolin was also handed over to DFO, Bolangir for safe custody. Investigation is underway.
Since 2020, Special drive against the wildlife criminals/ poachers has been launched in Odisha. The STF has seized as many as 25 numbers of leopard skins, 13 numbers of elephant tasks, 7 numbers of deer skins, 10 numbers of live pangolin and more than 16 kg pangolin scales with arrest of as many as 56 numbers of wildlife criminals.
Ms Kalinga