The Crime Branch Wildlife Crime Cell will investigate the leopard skin trafficking case which was busted in Ganjam district On June 6.Berhampur SP wrote a letter to the CID-Crime Branch DG recommending that the case be transferred to the specialised Wildlife Crime Cell for a detailed investigation in to wildlife poaching network.The recommendation comes days after police seized two leopard skins, two live crude bombs and a sword during a raid in Buratal forest under Tumba outpost in Jarada area on June 6. Two persons were arrested in connection with the case.Investigators believe the case may be linked to a wider network involved in hunting protected wildlife and smuggling animal parts outside the state. And therefore have requested to transfer the case to the wildlife crime cell for further investigation.Officials believe a Crime Branch investigation could help uncover how the animals are being hunted, the methods used to trap them and the routes through which wildlife products are allegedly being trafficked.Investigators are also examining whether local villagers are being used by poaching groups to track animal movement and assist in hunting operations.
Leopard skin smuggling case in Ganjam: Wildlife Crime Cell to investigate
