Biggest pangolin seizure in NE, eight arrested in Ri Bhoi district

GUWAHATI: In one of the biggest pangolin seizures conducted by the WCCB (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) Government of India, in North East, a joint operation launched by the personnel of Meghalaya Police and Meghalaya Forest department led to the seizure of four live pangolins, 44.28 kg of pangolin scale, and carcasses of 43 Tokay Gecko. They also arrested several persons in this regard. Based on specific inputs, the joint operation was carried out in the house of Victorious Masharing of village Khlichumsotem in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, at 21:30 hours on April 19.

Based on the statement of the arrested accused, another operation conducted at Nongpoh, in Ri Bhoi district on April 20, 2021 led to the seizure of two elephant tusks and arrest of two persons. The accused said that after collecting the contraband items locally, they have been keeping the items at the house of Victorious Masharing for the last two month while trying to sell the items.

A case was registered at Protection Range, Shillong. The accused were produced before the Ri-Bhoi district Court, which sent them to judicial custody. Further investigation is going on.

The investigating team suspects that a big racket is involved in this case.

The eight arrested persons are Victorious Masharing, Pynshngainlang Sten, Edison Teron, Klinson Bey, Fieldstar Lyngdoh, Darwin Phangcho, Sparling Rani, and Banker Ronghang. Victorious Masharing is son of (Late) P Lamare; Village: Khlichumsotem; Post Office: Mawbri; Police Station: Umroi; District:- Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya. Pynshngainlang Sten is son of Krolin Lymphuid; village: Tdoh Umsiang; Post Office: Umsning; Police Station: Umiam of Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya. Edison Teron is son of (Late) Sam Sing Teron; Village: Ty-ikpi; Post Office: Tika; Police Station: Baithalangso of West Karbi Anglong district in Assam. Klinson Bey, son of Hongsing Bey; Village: Tai-ikpi; Post Office & Police Station: Baithalangso; Sub Division: Hamren of Karbi Anglong in Assam. Fieldstar Lyngdoh is son of K. Jahrin; Village: Bhoirymbong; Post Office & Police Station: Umiam of Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya. Darwin Phangcho is son of Danywell Phangcho; Village and P:Ost Office: Umpanai; Police Station: Baithalangso of Karbi Anglong district in Assam. Sparling Rani (54 Years) is son of Holid Nongrang; Village: Raitong, Nine Mile; Post Office & Police Station: Umsning of Ri- Bhoi district in Meghalaya. Banker Ronghang is son of Telshon Ronghang; Village: Khliehumstem; Post Office: Mawbri; Police Station: Umiam Out post (Mawlasnai); District: Ri- Bhoi in Meghalaya.

On April 17, 2021 also, 5 kg of pangolin scales were seized by the WCCB and Assam Forest at Khanapara and arrested two persons. Nowadays, pangolin/pangolin scales and elephant tusks are highly in demand in the wildlife contraband smuggling market, stated a release.

Also Read: After one-horned rhinos, Smuggling of pangolins to China increasing in Northeast: WCCB

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