By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAR 07, 2024: IN a meticulously planned operation, the Directorate of Revenue (DRI) officers in Bengaluru have busted a syndicate's efforts to illicitly trade elephant tusks, classified under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, at the outskirts of Bengaluru, Karnataka. The interception of three suspects in an auto rickshaw on 05/06.03.2024 led to recovery of ivory tusks, concealed in a large bag in their possession. Further, swift action led to the arrest of four additional accomplices involved in facilitating the illegal trade.

The two elephant tusks, totally weighing 6.8 kg, were recovered and seized as per Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA),1972. The seven Individuals have been arrested.

With the recent amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act effective from April 1, 2023, DRI officers, already at the vanguard of anti-smuggling and counter-trafficking efforts across international frontiers, have been granted enhanced powers to clamp down on the domestic illegal wildlife trade.

Leveraging these new provisions, DRI officers are proactively engaged in operations to intercept illicitly traded wildlife items. In the fiscal year 2023-2024 alone, DRI units across India conducted six successful seizures of elephant tusks, collectively weighing 57.5 kilogram. These operations were conducted at Chennai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, further demonstrating DRI's unwavering commitment to combat wildlife trafficking.