Assam: Wildlife smugglers arrested, pangolin scale seized in Goalpara

Guwahati: Forest officials in Goalpara, Assam busted an alleged wildlife smuggling racket, arresting four individuals involved in the illegal trade of pangolin scales.

During the operation conducted at Daranggiri, a notorious hotspot for such activities, four suspects were arrested.

A forest department official said that acting on a tip-off, the forest department team raided a dhaba (roadside eatery) in Daranggiri, resulting in the seizure of a large quantity of pangolin scales and the arrest of four suspected smugglers.

The accused, identified as Jindas Momin, Faverson Momin, Killen Sangma, and Karbisto Momin, were caught red-handed while attempting to sell the contraband, which was transported from neighbouring Meghalaya.

The forest department had been monitoring the smugglers' activities, leading to the successful raid and seizure of pangolin scales worth approximately Rs 1.5 lakh, the official said.

The arrested individuals were taken into custody and faced departmental action at the Rangjuli Forest Officer's office.