BELAGAVI
Acting on specific information, the CCIB Police raided a house at Shetti Galli in Market Police Station limits near Central Bus Terminus and recovered the items.
According to the police, the cost of the recovered things is estimated at a few crores in the international market. The police suspects strong Goa links in the smuggling racket involving crores of rupees.
Briefing mediapersons, DCP Amarnath Reddy confirmed that the police carried out raids on the house that was visibly haunted. The raids were carried out as per information received from the intelligence branch on Tuesday afternoon and recovered items that included a few pairs of ivory, dozens of animal hide comprising tiger, lion, deer, leopard, deer antlers, pangolin scales, and tiger and lion nails. Saleem Chamadewale who had hired the said house was arrested.
Police said Chamadewale had hired the house in the locality where he used to store the things that were smuggled from various places.
Residents in the locality told the police that the house was always locked and they were told it was haunted. “We were always scared and nobody dared to go near the house,” said a resident.
ACP Shankar Marihal, who raided the house, said Chamadewale used to visit the house only in late nights and used to park goods carrier vehicles close to the main door of the house.
According to police, Chamadewale family was also involved in many vehicle theft cases. “Primary interrogations have revealed that the goods were to be smuggled to China and other international destinations, via Goa,” DCP Reddy said suspecting strong Goan links in the racket which may involve a few crores of rupees.
Police have taken a few members of Chamadewale family for further interrogation. A case was registered at Market Police Station.
***
MEGA HAUL
- Belagavi police recover a few pairs of ivory, dozens of animal hide comprising tiger, lion, deer, leopard, deer antlers, pangolin scales, and tiger and lion nails worth a few crores of rupees
- Items that were smuggled from various places were stored in a 'haunted' house
- Interrogations reveal that the goods were to be smuggled to China and other international destinations, via Goa
