Nuapada, Jan 3: A significant wildlife trafficking operation was dismantled in Odisha's Nuapada district following coordinated raids conducted by the Forest Department. Six person, including a father-son duo, were arrested, and two leopard skins along with two sambar antlers were seized during the crackdown.

According to reports, the Forest Department launched a series of targeted raids across western Odisha after receiving specific intelligence about ongoing wildlife trafficking activities.

In Nuapada, a team from the Khariar Forest Division led the operations. The first raid took place on Tuesday evening at Saradhapur village in the Boden Range. During this operation, one leopard skin and two sambar antlers were recovered, and four individuals were arrested. The arrested individuals were identified as Dinesh Majhi and Shukram Chinda from Saradhapur village, Kuma Chandra Majhi from Kendubahara village, and Madhusudan Majhi from Khairpada.

The following day, another raid was carried out at Patalgudkari village under the Nuapada Range, where a second leopard skin was seized. Two additional arrests were made, including Mahesh Sahu and his son Gajanan Sahu, who now facing charges of illegal hunting and wildlife are trafficking.

Confirming the arrests, official sources stated that all six accused have been produced in court. Investigations into the broader wildlife trafficking network are ongoing, with authorities emphasizing their commitment to strengthen surveillance and enforcement measures to combat illegal wildlife hunting and trafficking in the region.