STF & Forest officials seized 5 deer skins, arrest 2 wildlife criminals

Bhubaneswar: A team of Special Task Force of the Crime Branch with the help of Balipatna Forest Range Officials under Khordha Forest have arrested two wildlife criminals near Pipili flyover.

STF sources here on Friday said acting on a tip off a raid was conducted on Thursday by the STF and forest officials and the accused Krushna Chandra Swain -Ketaki Patana village under -Balanga, Police station of Puri, and Sunil Kumar Palei Net Uganda village under Gop Police station of Puri were apprehended.

During search, five deer skins, one Motor Cycle and other incriminating articles were recovered from their possession.

They have been detained and handed over to Khordha Forest Officials along with seized items for necessary legal action at their end. Investigation is on.

Since 2020, Special drive against the wildlife criminals have been launched. STF has seized as many as 21 leopard skins, 12 elephant tusks, 7 deer skins, 8 live pangolin and 15 kg of pangolin scales and with arrested 50 wildlife criminals. (UNI)