DRI seizes over 440 protected animals, arrests 33 in crackdown

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized more than 440 endangered and protected wildlife animals along with around 15 kg of elephant ivory and ivory articles in a series of intelligence-led operations carried out across India. The coordinated crackdown also led to the arrest of 33 people involved in wildlife trafficking.

On July 10, DRI officers intercepted people engaged in the illegal trade of elephant ivory near Sujangarh in Rajasthan. The operation resulted in the seizure of around 11 kg of elephant ivory. Four people were apprehended and handed over to the Forest Department along with the seized ivory for further action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits trade in elephants and their derivatives. Commercial trade in ivory is also banned in India in line with the country's obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The import and export of ivory are also prohibited under the Foreign Trade Policy.

In an earlier operation in Howrah, DRI officers apprehended two people and seized two ivory idols of deities that were suspected to have been smuggled into India from Bangladesh.

In another operation in Mysuru, Karnataka, DRI officers seized 4 kg of elephant ivory and apprehended three people involved in its illegal trade before handing them over to the Forest Department for further action.

On July 7 and 8, DRI and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out a joint operation at multiple locations across Maharashtra and West Bengal, with support from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). The operation led to the rescue of several wildlife species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including 15 slow lorises, two binturongs, 28 star tortoises, six Egyptian vultures and two shikra birds. DRI developed the intelligence for the case, which is now being investigated by the CBI. Six people were apprehended and later arrested by the CBI.

 In separate operations, DRI also foiled several attempts to smuggle protected wildlife into India through international airports by passengers arriving from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo. The rescued species included albino red-eared turtles, hypo zero bearded dragons, African spurred tortoises, Borneo pythons, green iguanas, mangrove monitor lizards, Argentine black and white tegus, Goeldi's marmosets, yellow-cheeked gibbons, Indonesian blue-tongued skinks, siamang gibbons, woolly monkeys, silvery lutungs, yellow-belly ball pythons and pastel ball pythons.

The operations, conducted in Bengaluru, Warangal, Pune, Surat, Chennai, Kolkata, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Srikakulam, Hojai in Assam, Rajasthan, Mysuru and Howrah, also led to the seizure of wildlife products including pangolin scales, leopard pelts, seahorse-based wildlife articles, red sanders and protected species of gibbons, lizards, tortoises, birds, squirrels, snakes and red sand boas.

Several of the operations were carried out in coordination with the CBI, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Airport Intelligence Units of Customs at Bengaluru, Kolkata, Tiruchirappalli and Madurai, state forest departments and local police authorities.

According to the DRI, the intelligence-led operations are aimed at combating organised wildlife crime and disrupting transnational trafficking networks dealing in endangered fauna and flora. The agency said it will continue to strengthen India's commitments under CITES and contribute to the protection of the country's biodiversity.