Bhubaneswar, Dec 9 : The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch on Saturday arrested two wildlife criminals from Rayagada district and seized one live Pangolin and other incriminating materials from their possession.
STF sources here said, acting on a tip off, a team of STF conducted a raid on NH-326 (Berhampur-Rayagada) near AkhusingiChowk under Padampur Police station Jurisdiction of Raygada district and arrested the wildlife criminals.
STF identified the accused as Samsan Raita (45) of Gajapati district and Asmin Sabar, (28 ) of Raygada.
During search, one Live Pangolin along with other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession.
In this connection, a case U/s 379/411/120(B) IPC r/w. Sec.51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been registered and the accused persons will be forwarded to the Court of SDJM, Gunupur.
The Live Pangolin was handed over to DFO, for safe custody. Investigation is underway.
The Indian pangolin is a schedule-I protected animal under Wild Life Protection act, 1972.
