8 Wildlife Smugglers Held With Leopard Skin In Mayurbhanj
8 Wildlife Smugglers Held With Leopard Skin In Mayurbhanj
admin
Baripada: On Wednesday, police arrested eight wildlife smugglers and seized a leopard skin in the Bangriposi area of Odisha's Mayurbhanj district.
According to sources, the accused were apprehended at an eatery on National Highway No. 49 in Katara, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Bangriposi police station, while attempting to strike a deal to sell the leopard skin.
On the basis of a tip, a team of police officers raided the roadside eatery and apprehended the eight suspects. They were also seized with the leopard skin.
All of the accused are said to be residents of various villages within the police jurisdictions of Bangriposi and Jharpokharia. According to sources, they admitted to bringing the skin from the Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary area after killing a leopard.
Further investigation is being conducted to determine whether the accused are part of a larger wildlife smuggling ring.
It should be noted that only a fortnight ago, three wildlife smugglers were apprehended and a leopard skin and more than Rs one lakh were seized from them in the Khunta area of Mayurbhanj district.
