Wildlife Trafficking Racket Busted in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In a major breakthrough, the Special Crime Unit (SCU) of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police has busted a wildlife trafficking racket and arrested three persons for their alleged involvement in trading leopard skin.

Acting on a specific tip-off, a team led by DCP (SCU) Anup Kanungo raided Hotel Mayfair Basti on Thursday evening. The accused were caught red-handed while attempting to strike a deal for the illegal sale of a leopard skin.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Rohit Mohapatra, Manjit Sabat, and Sambhu Bisoy. Police said the trio had been engaged in this illegal trade for quite some time. A full-size leopard skin was seized from their possession during the raid.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were attempting to seal a deal worth ₹30 lakh when they were intercepted. The seized leopard skin is believed to have been procured from outside the state. The police are now tracing both the supply chain and the potential buyers to uncover the broader trafficking network.

“All three accused have been arrested and produced before the court. Necessary legal action has been initiated under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,” said Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh, while briefing the media. He added that further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the racket and verify the criminal backgrounds of the arrested persons.

The Commissionerate Police described the operation as a significant step toward curbing wildlife trafficking in the state and reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling such illegal networks operating across Odisha.