Bhadrak: The Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch on Saturday night seized an elephant tusks from Baranga area under Agarapada police limits of Bhadrak district and arrested four people in this connection.
On the basis of reliable information regarding link of a person, identified as Kalandi Das, regarding elephant tusk smuggling, the STF and Forest Department team conducted a joint raid at Baranga area. The team arrested him from the spot but did not find anything from his possession.
Earlier on Saturday morning, three other people came from Oupada of Balasore and stayed at Kalandi’s house in Agarapada. They shifted to a neighbour’s house when they learned regarding STF raid at his house. Following this, the locals trapped the three people and suspected them to be involved in the elephant smuggling.
Later, the three accused confessed that they had come to meet Kalandi regarding the smuggle of elephant tusks and have dumped it packed in a sack in a nearby field.
Thereafter, the locals informed the STF team following which all the criminals were arrested. They seized elephant tusks and other incriminating materials from the spot.
The STF team has initiated a probe into the matter. The team is yet to ascertain other criminals who have been involved in such smuggling.
Ms Kalinga