In a major operation against illegal wildlife trade, a joint team of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) and the Assam Forest Department’s Bamunigaon Range seized two pieces of suspected elephant ivory and arrested two persons near the Assam–Meghalaya border.
The operation was carried out on the evening of June 16 at Santipur in Bamunigaon following specific intelligence inputs regarding the alleged movement of wildlife contraband in the area.
During the raid, the enforcement team recovered two suspected elephant ivory articles from the possession of the accused. A Hero motorcycle allegedly used in connection with the activity was also seized.
The arrested individuals were identified as Leson Marak (52) and Hopring Sangma (40). Both were taken into custody on charges related to illegal possession and suspected involvement in wildlife trafficking.
The seized ivory and the accused were produced before the Bamunigaon Range Forest Office for further legal proceedings under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the seized contraband and to determine whether the accused are linked to a larger wildlife smuggling network.
