DRI foils elephant tusk trafficking bid; suspects flee (Photo: IANS)
Guwahati, November 10 (IANS): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has foiled an alleged wildlife trafficking attempt near Guwahati and seized two elephant tusks weighing around 3.7 kg after five suspects allegedly fled the scene while brandishing sharp weapons, officials said on Tuesday.
Acting on specific intelligence about the movement of elephant tusks, DRI officers intercepted the suspected trafficking operation near the Sonapur Toll Gate, around 27 km from Guwahati, on November 5.
According to officials, the DRI team spotted five suspects travelling on two two-wheelers at around 5.40 p.m. One of the suspects was carrying a bag suspected to contain wildlife contraband.
When the officers moved to intercept them, the suspects allegedly attempted to escape and threatened the pursuing personnel with sharp-edged weapons, including a Khukri and a Dao. The suspects eventually abandoned the bag and fled into a nearby village, officials said.
A subsequent examination of the bag led to the recovery of two elephant tusks measuring 29 inches and 30 inches in length. The combined weight of the seized tusks was approximately 3.7 kg.
The recovered tusks were seized under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and later handed over to the Assam Forest Department for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Elephant tusks are among the wildlife articles subject to stringent protection under Indian law. Elephants are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, while international commercial trade in elephant ivory is heavily restricted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The seizure highlights continuing concerns over wildlife trafficking in the Northeast, a region that shares international borders and has frequently been identified as a transit corridor for illegal trade in protected species and wildlife products.
The DRI said it remains committed to tackling wildlife trafficking through intelligence-based operations and coordination with other enforcement and forest agencies.
Further investigation is underway to identify and trace those involved in the alleged trafficking network.
