Bhubaneswar, Jan 14: The Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch today seized three elephant tusks in a raid at Kabatbandha Chhak near Brahmani Bridge under Jajpur district and arrested three persons in this connection.

The accused have been identified as Pitabas Barik of Bhagabanpur, Ananda Mohakud of Badabil and Ambuja Pradhan of Kabatbandha.

On the basis of reliable information, STF team conducted a raid at Kabatbandha when the accused were trying to strike a deal and seized the tusks. The accused could not produce any valid authority in support of possession of the tusks for which they have been arrested and will be forwarded to the court,” said an official.

The official further said that the seized elephant tusks will be sent to Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun for chemical examination and further investigation in the case is continuing.