Kolhapur: The Sindhudurg Local Crime Branch (LCB) apprehended four individuals and confiscated rare pangolin scales, sambar horns, and two motorcycles, collectively valued at Rs 92 lakh, in the Anavkarwadi area of Ranbambuli village on Friday. The operation was conducted based on a tip-off regarding illegal wildlife trade in the region.
Details of the Arrest and Seizure
A case has been registered at Sindhudurg Police Station under Sections 9, 44, 49 (B), and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, along with Section 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The accused have been identified as Ganesh Pradeep Shirke (30), Vithoba Bhagwan Bawlekar (82), Shankar Yashwant Tarapure (31), and Kalidas Dattatray Warang (55), all residents of Sindhudurg district.
How the Raid Was Conducted
Pravin Kolhe, Police Inspector of the Local Crime Branch, stated, “The LCB received confidential information about illegal trade in wildlife parts in the Ranbambuli area. Accordingly, we laid a trap and conducted a raid at around 11:40 am on Friday. In this operation, 1.8 kg of Indian pangolin scales and two sambar horns were seized. Further investigation is ongoing to identify other accomplices and to determine the extent of the gang’s involvement in wildlife crime.”
The action was carried out under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Mohan Dahikar, Additional Superintendent of Police Nayomi Satam, and LCB Police Inspector Praveen Kolhe. The raid was executed by Police Sub-Inspector Anil Hadal, Assistant Police Sub-Inspectors Suresh Rathod and Dominic D’Souza, along with other staff members.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are now probing the network of smugglers and their connections to larger wildlife trafficking rings. The seizure underscores the ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade in the region.
