Siliguri police arrested a man for illegal possession of wildlife articles, including pangolin scales and a deer antler, in a major crackdown on wildlife smuggling.
Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Deepak Rasaily, Range Officer of Sukna Range, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, conducted a raid at Samarnagar, under Pradhan Nagar Police Station in Siliguri. The operation resulted in the seizure of 3.7 kg of pangolin scales, classified under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and a deer antler weighing 400 grams and measuring 45 cm.
The accused, identified as Sajon Sarkar alias Babu, son of late Chittanranjan Sarkar, was arrested on the spot. According to sources, the wildlife items were bound for Nepal. The seized pangolin scales are valued at approximately Rs 6 lakh in the international market.
The accused has been charged under the relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. He will be produced before the Honourable ACJM Siliguri Court tomorrow for judicial custody. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to trace the source of the seized articles and the smuggling network involved.
