2 of wildlife gang held, animal skin worth Rs 2 cr seized

Pratapgarh, Apr 15 (UNI) Police today claimed to have busted an international wildlife smuggling gang with the arrest of its two members possessing animals skin worth Rs 2 crore in Hathigavan area here.

Acting on an information that certain international level smuggling syndicates were active in the district, a police team was set up under the aegis of Hathigavan's Station House Officer (SHO), they said.

On a tip off, police cordoned off near Kilhenapur crossing and swooped upon Sanjay Shukla and Arjun Mishra, they said.

The duo were possessing two sealed bags having skins of leopard, tiger, cheetah and panther, they said.

Police Superintendent Sanjay Shukla said Sanjay was booked in four cases in Sultanpur, while Arjun is wanted in one case.

The police claim it to be the largest recovery at the state level.

UNI XC-JAS AM KP1821