Assam: Forest department nabs smugglers with pangolin scales in Goalpara

In a significant operation, the Goalpara district forest department successfully apprehended four wildlife smugglers involved in the illegal trade of pangolin scales. The arrests were made at Daranggiri, a hotspot for such activities.

Acting on a credible tip-off, a team led by Dharmendra Das, the Consultation Ranger of Goalpara, with support from Rangjuli forest officials and staff, raided a dhaba in Daranggiri. The raid resulted in the recovery of a large quantity of pangolin scales and the arrest of four individuals who were allegedly preparing to sell the contraband. The smugglers had reportedly transported the animals parts from neighboring Meghalaya and were in the process of setting up a sale from the dhaba.

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The forest department had been monitoring the smugglers’ activities and managed to catch them red-handed. The four accused, identified as Jindas Momin, Faverson Momin, Killen Sangma from Waramja in Meghalaya, and Karbisto Momin from Mandadropo, were immediately taken into custody. The confiscated pangolin scales, which has a market value estimated at around Rs 1.5 lakh, was also seized.

The arrested individuals were brought to the Rangjuli Forest Officer's office, where they faced departmental action. Dharmendra Das, who led the operation, highlighted the importance of such seizures in combating the illegal wildlife trade, which poses a significant threat to the region's biodiversity.