Seven Arrested for Elephant Tusk smuggling in Bengaluru

Officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intervened to thwart an illicit trade involving elephant tusks and apprehended seven individuals linked to the activity on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The interception occurred on March 5 when officers intercepted an auto-rickshaw and discovered three suspects in possession of a substantial bag containing elephant tusks. Subsequent investigations led to the apprehension of four additional individuals implicated in facilitating the unlawful trade.

The seized elephant tusks, totaling 6.8 kilograms in weight, were confiscated from the accused under the provisions of Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) of 1972, resulting in the arrest of all seven individuals involved.

Authorities highlighted that recent amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, which came into effect on April 1, 2023, have empowered the DRI with enhanced authority to combat domestic illegal wildlife trade. They emphasized the agency’s commitment to curbing wildlife trafficking, citing six successful seizures of elephant tusks collectively weighing 57.5 kilograms across various locations such as Chennai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Bengaluru during the fiscal year 2023-2024.

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