CBI-DRI bust wildlife trafficking racket, rescue animals, birds, 6 nabbed

In a joint operation, CBI, DRI and from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) busted an inter-state wildlife trafficking racket and rescued 15 Slow Loris, 2 Binturong, 28 Star Tortoises, 6 Egyptian Vultures and 2 Shikra birds. These animals and birds are listed under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, with the highest level of protection in India. According to CBI statement , Six accused were arrested in Mumbai and Kolkata.
The operation, carried out with support from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).The arrested accused have been identified as Noman Khan, Mohd Faruq and Insha Shakil from Mumbai, and Saikat Biswas, Mithun Mondal alias Himanshu Mandal and Arjun Mondal from Kolkata, the statement said.The action was carried out at multiple locations in Maharashtra and West Bengal based on specific intelligence developed by the DRI, Mumbai, about the inter-state syndicate.
The CBI registered two separate cases on July 7 and July 8, 2026 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and provisions relating to criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The animals and birds were sourced by the accused from various parts of India for trading. After the initial proceedings, the wildlife was handed over to the forest departments of Maharashtra and West Bengal, respectively, for safe custody and handling of the recovered wildlife species.

(Freelance Journalist)