DRI Officers Arrest Six, Seize 955 Baby Tortoises in Multi-City Operation
In a coordinated operation conducted in Nagpur, Bhopal, and Chennai, officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) successfully apprehended six individuals and seized a total of 955 baby tortoises belonging to various species. The arrests took place on a Saturday.
The seized tortoises are of significant conservation concern as they belong to species residing in the Ganga river, and they are red-listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These creatures also fall under Schedule I and II categories of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The breakthrough in this operation came through a tip-off regarding a syndicate involved in the illegal smuggling of these tortoises for commercial gains. Such illicit activities pose a substantial threat to these endangered species.
Recognizing the grave danger faced by these tortoises, the authorities devised a plan to apprehend the culprits involved in this illegal trade simultaneously in different parts of the country.
The seized baby tortoises encompass various species, including the Indian Tent Turtle, Indian Flapshell Turtle, Crown River Turtle, Black Spotted/Pond Turtle, and Brown Turtle. The case has now been transferred to the relevant forest officers for further investigation. The successful operation underscores the commitment to protecting endangered wildlife and curbing illegal wildlife trade.
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