Chennai, Nov 8- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials seized two elephant ivory tusks weighing 21.63 kg in Srivilliputtur, Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, on Tuesday evening. The seizure was made based on specific information, leading to the detention of three individuals.
According to an official release, the DRI received intelligence about a gang involved in illegal wildlife trade attempting to sell two elephant tusks covered under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Officers formulated a plan to intercept and apprehend the items and the gang.
Upon reaching the designated spot, officers identified three individuals behaving suspiciously, carrying a large bag suspected to contain the elephant tusks. The officers quickly intercepted and apprehended them along with the bag containing the two elephant tusks.
The seized tusks, weighing a total of 21.63 kg, were recovered and seized under the newly amended Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act. The three individuals were handed over to the Tamil Nadu Forest Department for further necessary action.
The release highlighted that DRI officers, empowered by the newly amended Wildlife Protection Act since April 1, 2023, have been actively involved in anti-smuggling and counter-trafficking measures across international borders, seizing illegally traded wildlife items within the country. In June 2023, Chennai DRI had seized 2 elephant tusks weighing 4.03 kgs and apprehended seven members of a cartel, who were subsequently handed over to the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
