The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Police today (Sunday) successfully foiled a wildlife smuggling attempt, seizing a leopard skin and arresting two individuals at Arjunpur Chack under Sonepur police station limits.
The arrested persons have been identified as Prakash Kanhar and Ranjit Bhokta, both residents of the Boudh district. Acting on intelligence regarding the illegal trade of leopard skins, the STF conducted a raid near Arjunpur Chack (NH-126A) this morning.
A leopard skin, concealed in an air bag, along with other incriminating materials, was recovered during the operation. As the accused failed to produce any legal documents for possessing the protected wildlife product, they were immediately taken into custody. The STF is investigating the wider network involved in the illegal trade.