Bhubaneswar: In a major success against wildlife smugglers, the special task force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch arrested two persons and seized a leopard skin on Thursday.
The suspects, caught during a surveillance operation, have been identified as Rajesh Nayak and Gayadhara Nayak. Both were apprehended while making deal to sell the leopard skin for Rs 2.5 lakh. The accused are residents of Banigochha area in Nayagarh district.
The STF, acting on specific intelligence inputs, conducted the raid and seized the leopard skin from the possession of the accused.
An official of the STF said that the two had been operating in the forests of Boudh, Nayagarh, and Phulbani, sourcing wildlife products, including leopard skin and other animal parts, for supply to West Bengal.
Investigation is underway to trace the involvement of a kingpin. The STF estimated the animal was about 10 years old. The probe team has registered a case and would visit to the place of poaching for further investigation.