Deogarh: The Special Squad of Deogarh Police here on Monday seized a leopard skin and arrested five persons involved in the smuggling of wildlife contraband.
The arrested accused have been identified as Pati Kisan (32), Mustaquddin (33), Dhiren Naik (20), Niranjan Naik (29), and Sukra (30), the police said.
On the basis of reliable information about a deal at Ambakata forest under Barkot PS, a special squad led by Deogarh SDPO Pratyush Mohapatra was formed. The officials, posing as customers, reached the spot caught the smugglers red-handed, informed Deogarh SP Raj Kishore Paikray at a press meet today.
During the search, a leopard skin, a sharp weapon, and a mobile phone were seized from the accused persons and subsequently, they were arrested, the senior police official added.
Reportedly, the police have registered a case against the accused persons and forwarded them to court.
