Baripada: Forest department officials on Tuesday seized a leopard skin and detained five persons in this connection in Mayurbhanj district.
According to sources, the Forest officials detained the five accused near Katas village under Bisoyi range, suspecting their movement. On search, the officials found the hide from their possession.
Earlier, the Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch had arrested a smuggler and recovered a leopard skin from his possession near Sambalpur-Sonepur border on October 13.
The officials suspected that the COVID-19 related restrictions may have led to rise in smuggling of animals parts as evident from frequent seizures recently.
