The Forest Department West on Monday detained four persons in Nashik in connection with leopard skin smuggling.
The Deputy Forest Conservator, Pankaj Garg, informed ANI that they had collected leopard skin from the detained, adding that the squad will look into any foreign connections.
“Leopard skin traffickers were nabbed in Nashik’s Igatpuri Aboli hamlet by the Forest Department West. Four people have been arrested for possessing leopard skin. We are conducting the interrogation and will try to find out whether they have any overseas connections “Garg said.
Earlier that day, on August 31, forest officers in Assam collected body parts of wild animals, including two leopard skins, in the Nagaon district.
Based on forest department intelligence, Nagaon Forest Division officers started an operation in the Doboka, Namati, and Kampur districts, recovering two leopard skins and some pangolin skins.
Forest officials collected leopard and other animal body parts in Nagaon, Assam. Four people were also caught in the case by forest officers.
Read more: Kidney racket: ED challenges Amit Raut’s release on bail; Delhi HC seeks response
