Udala (Odisha): Acting on a tip-off, Udala forest officials seized 7 elephant tusks weighing around 45 kg and arrested two persons for their involvement in wildlife trafficking in Angarpada village of Mayurbhanj district, reports said.
As per reports, forest officials got a tip-off that there was elephant tusk trafficking in the area. Disguising themselves as customers, forest officials approached the tusk mafia and set a deal of Rs 18 lakh for seven pieces of tusks. Meanwhile, as per plan, other officials who were outside conducted a raid on the spot and made the seizure and arrested the two smugglers.
"All seven pieces of tusks were seized from their possession. All the seven pieces are from one tusker and weigh around 45 kg and costs over lakhs," said forest department source.
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It's worth mentioning, two tuskers were found dead at the Kaptipada forest range earlier. The smugglers had reportedly cut off the tusks of one of the pachyderm and were trying to sell it since then.
IANS
