the goan I network
VASCO
Verna police on Tuesday evening arrested two people in connection with Wildlife Protection Act for illegal possession of two elephant tusks, valued in the international market at around Rs 20 lakh.
According to Verna PI Sandesh Chodankar, both the accused, residents of Margao, were arrested under section 9, 39, 40, 42, r/w 51 of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 on basis of reliable and specific information.
“We had received specific information that two people were to arrive at IDC to sell elephant tusks and accordingly we set a trap. 42-year-old Shrikant Kanekar of Davorlim, Margao and 29-year-old Vignesh Karapurkar, of Aquem Alto, Margao arrived in a car and upon the search of the vehicle, we found that they were illegally in possession of two elephant tusks weighing 13.310 kg worth Rs 20 lakh approximately in the international market. We asked them for documentation for having the tusks in possession but they did not have any documentation, thereby contravening the provisions of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972. We arrested both of them,” PI Chodankar said.
“During our preliminary investigation, we have found out more people that are involved in the case and we are in the process of arresting more people in this regards. Elephant is a schedule 1 animal and as such there is prohibition on its hunting or trading of the parts. This looks like an interstate gang,” Chodankar added.
Further investigation is in progress under PI Sandesh Chodankar.
