Cuttcak: Forest officials of Athagarh Forest Division have busted a pangolin smuggling racket and arrested eight members of the racket. Forest officials said that the racket was effectively using internet and social media to run the illegal trade.
The accused have been identified as Akash Behera, Dhruba Charan Sahoo, Bibhuti Sahoo, Ashok Jena, Raju Dehury, Premananda Sahoo, Satia Behera and Prasant Sethy.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Sasmita Lenka said that the accused were using internet as the smart and easiest way of dealing with customers. “They exhibit wildlife items through WhatsApp and other websites. We strongly suspect the accused having links with agents in other countries,” said Lenka. She also said that several videos of confined pangolins were found from the mobile phones of the accused.
Forest officials said that the Pangolin, a Schedule I animal, is one of the most trafficked animals in the world.
“The animal scale is used for ornamental purpose while the animal scale has also demand for medicinal purposes to treat cancer, stomach ailments, and blood-related problems. Indian Pangolin is the world’s most trafficked mammal for its medicinal values, scales and meat,” said a forest official.
Further investigation revealed all the accused of being involved in smuggling of elephant tusks in past. “After we were able to check poaching of elephants, the racket switched over top smuggling of pangolins. We are also trying to nab the mastermind of the gang,” added Lenka.
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