Pangolin scales seized in city

SHILLONG: Acting on a tip off, Customs officers of Headquarters Preventive Unit, Shillong seized 121.64 kg of Pangolin scales and 261 kg of dry plant roots believed to be Paris Polyphylla here on Friday while they were being transported to Mizoram to be smuggled to Myanmar.
A customs official said that two persons have been arrested and a case has been registered under the Customs Act, 1962.
It is estimated that one kilogram of Pangolin scales can fetch US $3000 in the grey market. Total value of the seized consignment is believed to be over Rs 2.50 crore.
Further investigation of the case is in progress to arrest other persons involved in the illegal trade of wild life items.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, Deputy Commissioner (Hqrs. Preventive), I R Kharkongor, said that Pangolin, a mammal with scales, is an endangered species under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and is considered as one of the most trafficked mammals in Asia since its scales are in high demand in countries like China and Vietnam where they are  believed to be used in traditional medicines.
Kharkongor said that Paris Polyphylla is one of the medicinal plants listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).