Three Arrested with Pangolin Scales in Interstate Wildlife Smuggling Bust in Alipurduar

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Three Arrested with Pangolin Scales in Interstate Wildlife Smuggling Bust in Alipurduar

Alipurduar, February 15: Forest officials have uncovered an interstate wildlife trafficking operation and arrested three men in connection with the illegal trade of pangolin scales. The arrests were made on Saturday along the Sonapur–Jaigaon Road by the South Range team of the Jaldapara Wildlife Division.

The operation was conducted following specific intelligence inputs and was led by Range Officer Rajib Chakraborty. During the search, officers recovered 1.710 kilograms of pangolin scales from the possession of the accused.

Pangolins are protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022. The species receives the highest degree of legal protection, and any form of trade or possession is a punishable offence.

The three accused have been identified as Sahajan Ali (45) from South Salmara Mankachar district of Assam, Surajit Das (50) from Dinhata in Coochbehar district, and Mukul Rahman (59), also from Dinhata in Coochbehar district of West Bengal.

Preliminary inquiry suggests that the seized scales were sourced from Meghalaya and were being transported as part of a wider interstate network.

The accused are set to be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate on February 16, 2026. Forest authorities have indicated that further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the illegal trade.