Bhubaneswar, 1 September (H.S.) In a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, in coordination with Odisha police, busted a leopard skin trafficking racket in Kolnara, Rayagada district, on Monday. Two leopard skins were seized and four persons were arrested.

The accused were identified as Prabhakar Nayak and Raj Kumar Gupta from Nagpur, Maharashtra, along with Mahesh Huika of Machhkhunti, Gunupur, and Anjar Singh of Putasing. Investigations revealed that Huika, acting as a middleman, had procured leopard skins from local poachers and was in talks with traders from Maharashtra.

Acting on an intelligence tip-off, Guinda police launched coordinated raids near NH-326 and intercepted the suspects while the deal was being negotiated. The seized wildlife articles were taken into custody, and all four accused were produced before the SDJM Court and remanded to judicial custody.

Officials said that Huika and his associate played a key role in sourcing leopard skins for the interstate racket. Mumbai police had earlier tracked the traders to Rayagada and alerted local authorities, leading to the successful joint operation.

Further investigation is underway to trace the network of poachers and traders involved in the illegal wildlife trade.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda