Tiger Skin Trafficking Busted in Kerala: 7-Member Gang Arrested in Kannur’s Kathirur for Attempting to Sell Tiger Skin, Teeth and Claws
A seven-member gang was arrested for attempting to sell tiger skin, teeth, and claws in the Kathirur area of Thalassery Taluk in Kerala's Kannur district. The accused were caught in a joint operation led by Kottiyoor Range Officer Nithin Raj T and the Kannur Forest Vigilance Unit, according to a statement.
Kannur, February 8: A seven-member gang was arrested for attempting to sell tiger skin, teeth, and claws in the Kathirur area of Thalassery Taluk in Kerala's Kannur district. The accused were caught in a joint operation led by Kottiyoor Range Officer Nithin Raj T and the Kannur Forest Vigilance Unit, according to a statement. Based on secret intelligence inputs, a search was conducted in the Kathirur area of Thalassery Taluk, during which the gang was apprehended. Tiger Skin Smuggling in Thane: Two Arrested for Allegedly Selling Tiger Skin Worth Over Rs 40 Lakh at Kalyan-Shilphata Road.
In the first phase, Ashwin N. from Eruvatti and Sandesh P M and Balan C from Cheruvanchery were arrested at Kathirur. From them, officials seized tiger skin, teeth, claws, and the scooter used to transport these items. Further investigation based on information obtained during questioning led to the arrest of the remaining accused: Sharath K K from Kallikandi, Rajeesh Kadachi from Mangad, Vithul V K from Cheruvanchery, and Rakhil T P from Malal, according to the statement. Wildlife Smuggling: Over 60 Rose-Ringed Parakeets Rescued from Delhi.
An Innova car used to transport the tiger body parts was also seized. The operation was carried out by a team including Kottiyoor Range Officer Nithin Raj, Kannur Vigilance Range Officer V Jayaprakash, Beat Forest Officers Ramya K K and Vipesh B C from Tholambra Section, and Mukesh K P and Shinil C from Kannur Forest Vigilance. Kannur Vigilance Divisional Forest Officer Shajna and Aralam Wildlife Warden V Ratheeshan were also part of the team. The arrested accused were produced before the Thalassery JFCM (Judicial First Class Magistrate) Court.
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)