The body of the deer stuffed in a sack. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, April 17: Five kg of fresh venison, mithun hide and crocodile skin were among the booty seized today from the house of a man who happens to be the partner in crime of the veterinary official arrested on Tuesday with a dead barking deer.

Following a tip-off, a team of forest and police officials raided the residence of Manu Bezbaruah in Dispur this evening and seized the animal hide, two horns each of mithun and deer and three teeth of wild pig.

The venison was found in the refrigerator.

A double barrel gun with 75 rounds of ammunition, two rifles with 29 rounds, one bow with nine arrows, two magazines, two leather covers of pistols and 132 rounds of ammunition of small arms were also found in the house.

The small arms are missing, as is their owner.

Bezbaruah was said to be with the state animal husbandry and veterinary department official, Shivaji Baruah, when villagers caught him trying to stuff venison into a sack near Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary on Tuesday.

Bezbaruah, however, slipped away before the police arrived.

“It is certain that all the wildlife articles barring the crocodile skin are from the nearby Amchang wildlife sanctuary,” an official said.

The raid was planned out yesterday but could not be conducted because of logistical problems.

“We were right on the job from the day Baruah was arrested and had started investigating,” the official said.

Baruah is now in judicial custody.

“It looks like Bezbaruah is a well connected person and enjoys political patronage, too,” the official said.

“At this stage, we think he is the kingpin of the deep-rooted racket which may have international links.”