Two held, snake venom worth Rs.1.5 crore seized

Sambalpur: Police have arrested two persons from the city on Sunday and seized about one and a half kg of dry snake venom from their possession valued at Rs.1.5 crore.

The two arrested persons have been identified as Kailash Sahu (36) of Takba and Ranjan Padhi (42) of Sakhipada of Sambalpur city.

As per information, the police of Riamal police station of Deogarh district got reliable information that two persons from Sambalpur were trying to purchase processed and dry snake venom from few persons of the area.

The Police rushed to the spot as civilians but by that time the two had moved to Sambalpur tactfully. The police followed them and finally caught hold when they were entering the Sambalpur city.

Riamal police station officer in charge Gangadhar Behera said the seized venom has been sent to the wildlife laboratory at Bhubaneswar.

The police have seized the mobile phones of the youths, and are investigating the involvement of other persons in this racket, Mr Behera said.

He said some people from Angul, Deogarh and Sambalpur are also involved in snake venom rackets and the police will find them. (UNI)