Guwahati, Jan 28: A joint operation conducted by teams from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) Guwahati and Assam forest department (Sonapur range) led to the seizure of pangolin scales weighing 4.100 kg from a resort in Sonapur on the outskirts of the city on Thursday.
According to intelligence inputs developed by (WCCB) Guwahati, the teams raided a room at Dichang Resort and seized the pangolin scales.
Seven accused have been detained and three motor bikes have also been seized.
“The accused had brought the contraband items from Meghalaya. They collected the items in small quantities from villagers for East Khasi Hills and Tura, in order to sell them to some buyers,” a statement from WCCB (Guwahati) said.
The teams were led by Hiten Borah of WCCB, Guwahati.
The detained persons have been identified as Padme Kathar of Gorighuli village, Sonapur; Lakhya Boro of Amerigog, Nine Mile; Harmeswar Momin of Matiyagaon, Sonapur; Tinsu Marak of Dimoria, Sonapur; Hiteswar Thangchu of Samata Pathar; Kamrup (Metro); Deba Engti of Kalangpur; Kamrup(Metro) and Rakesh Boro of Milan Nagar, Khanapara.
The Chinese pangolin is enlisted in Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and declared “Vulnerable to Critically Endangered” species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.