Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of crime branch on Friday arrested another accused from Assam in connection with the trading of pangolin scales. The accused Amir Hussain Laskar, 39, is being brought here on transit remand.
On June 18, wildlife officials had arrested one Shamsuddin Khan of Nayagarh and seized pangolin scales weighing 5kg. However, the crime branch later took over the case as Khan allegedly had inter-state connections. Subsequently, the crime branch arrested Khan's son Allrukha and one Laltten Kujungku, a key operative and mastermind of the trade from Mizoram.
"We suspect the gang smuggles pangolins and its scales to China via Mizoram and other north-eastern states from Odisha. The gang is also involved in trade of wildlife trophies in other states of the country. Laskar will be produced in a court in Dasapalla on Saturday. We will further interrogate Laskar to identify others involved in the trade," said an STF official.
Forest officials said while animal scale was used for ornamental purpose, it also has demand for medicinal purposes to treat cancer, stomach ailments, and blood related problems. Indian pangolin is the world's most trafficked mammal for its medicinal values, scales and meat.
STF officials said their Madhya Pradesh counterpart had busted a poaching and smuggling gang four years ago. They gang had international links. Shamsuddin was wanted in connection with the gang, but managed to evade arrest.
"We are also trying to nab locals involved in catching the animal and subsequently delivering them to wildlife traders. All the accused arrested so far are actively involved in wildlife trade for more than one decade," said an STF official.
"Pangolin, a Schedule I animal, is one of the most trafficked animals in the world. Pangolins are caught using various techniques, which include smoking and flushing them out with water and laying traps. The number of pangolins is dwindling rapidly," said a forest official.
Realtor held
The economic offences wing of Crime Branch on Friday arrested a realtor on fraud charges. Sk Hasib, 46, of Sanakujhala in Jajpur district was arrested in connection with a case filed by Mohammad Nawaz Hassan, who had paid Rs 22.55 lakh to to buy a plot near Nandankanan.
