Special Task Force Nabs Inter-State Wildlife Poachers with Elephant Tusks Worth Rs 1 Crore

In a coordinated effort, the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with the Forest Department, captured three inter-state poachers with elephant tusks valued at Rs 1 crore. The operation was meticulously planned and executed under the direction of top officials, leading to the seizure of tusks and the arrest of the suspects.

In a strategic undercover operation, the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with the Forest Department, successfully arrested three inter-state wildlife poachers who were found with two elephant tusks worth Rs 1 crore, according to officials on Wednesday.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Vijay Kumar revealed that the meticulously planned operation took place on Tuesday night in the CB Ganj police station area of Bareilly, aimed at curbing wildlife trafficking.

Directed by Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar, the operation had STF officials posing as potential buyers to infiltrate the poaching network. The officers arranged a meeting with the suspects, who were traveling between districts seeking buyers.

Inspector MP Singh of the STF stated that one of the arrested individuals, Natha Singh, had been serving as a caretaker at the Nanak Mata Gurudwara for over 12 years. During questioning, Singh confessed to his role in the trafficking operation. Alongside him, Aditya Vikram from Green Park, Bareilly, and Karan Singh from Baradari were apprehended with tusks measuring over three feet in length.

Police reports indicate that the smugglers were traveling across districts to find a buyer, aiming to sell the ivory for Rs 1 crore. Upon receiving a tip-off, STF officers posed as buyers, leading to the successful capture of the poachers and the recovery of the ivory.

Aditya Vikram initially claimed that the ivory was ancestral, passed down from his maternal grandfather. However, police believe the accused killed an elephant to obtain the tusks, with an ongoing investigation into the matter.

(With inputs from agencies.)