The Pune Regional Unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized prohibited wildlife species near Pune Railway Station and apprehended two individuals involved in illegal possession and sale of protected animals. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers recovered live Malabar giant squirrels and Indian star tortoises from the suspects. These species are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, with strict regulations against hunting and trade.
Further investigation in Pune led to the recovery of the wildlife and the apprehension of the suspects. The Malabar giant squirrel and Indian star tortoise, both listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, enjoy the highest level of legal protection. The rescued animals, along with the suspects and the concealment materials, have been handed over to the Forest Department in Pune for legal proceedings under the Act.
The DRI emphasized its commitment to wildlife protection and environmental sustainability through intelligence-based operations targeting wildlife traffickers and illegal networks involved in the trade of protected species. In a separate operation, the DRI recently uncovered a large-scale e-cigarette smuggling racket across various ports and airports in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal. The ministry of Finance reported the seizure of nearly 300,000 electronic cigarettes/vapes valued at over Rs 120 crore, all sourced from China and concealed in items like furniture and metal chair parts.
