The Rayagada Forest Department seized a staggering 1,130 pangolin scales weighing 4.56 kg and arrested three individuals near the District Collectorate office.
Acting on a tip-off, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sachin Anna Saheb Ahole directed a special raid team to swing into action. On Sunday, Rayagada forest personnel swooped down on an open field near the Collectorate where the accused were allegedly negotiating a deal to smuggle the scales.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Jagan Himirika from Panasput village, along with Nilambar Khosla and Purushottam Khosla, both residents of Kumbikota under Sadar block. Along with the contraband, authorities seized two motorcycles used by the suspects for the illicit operation.
According to Range Officer Anil Kumar Panigrahi, a case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The accused were produced in court and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
Preliminary interrogations revealed that the pangolins were poached locally within the Rayagada forest range. While three accomplices have been cornered, the main mastermind behind the smuggling ring managed to escape. Forest officials confirmed that an intensive investigation is underway to track down the primary suspect.
The successful raid was executed by a dedicated team comprising ACF Satish Kumar Dharua, Range Officer Anil Kumar Panigrahi, Forester Gouri Shankar Sahu, Forest Guard Santosh Kumar Panigrahi, and Rayagada parasquad members Surya Narayan Miniaka and Balaram Swain.
