The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted three intelligence-led operations that led to the seizure of various wildlife products and the apprehension of eleven persons involved in illegal trade. The seized items were handed over to the jurisdictional Forest Range Officer for further investigation.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) continues its efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking by focusing on disrupting networks at the point of illegal possession, transportation, and attempted sale of protected species and their derivatives. In three intelligence-led operations, DRI seized four elephant ivory articles including intricately carved ivory items, one leopard skin, two live pangolins, 3 kg tiger bones, and two tiger canines.
In an operation targeting illegal trade in elephant ivory, DRI officers conducted a decoy operation based on specific intelligence regarding attempts to illicitly sell four elephant tusks, including intricately carved ivory articles. The operation resulted in the recovery of the ivory items and apprehension of three persons involved in the transaction. Possession without licence and trade/dealing in elephant ivory and articles made therefrom are prohibited under Section 49B of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
In another intelligence-led operation on 29.09.2026, DRI officers intercepted two persons near Purada village in Gondia district, Maharashtra, suspected to be attempting to sell a leopard’s skin after killing it. The interception resulted in the recovery of the leopard skin, which is listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
A major joint operation conducted on 26–27.09.2026 in the Allapalli forest area of Maharashtra resulted in the recovery of one live adult pangolin, one live baby pangolin, 3 kg tiger bones, and two tiger canines. The pangolins, protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and listed in Schedule I, are also listed in Appendix I of CITES, with their international trade prohibited.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
