Aizawl: In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, officials from the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department division in Kolasib, Mizoram, seized 98 kilograms of pangolin scales along with the apprehension of the illegal transporter.
The operation, carried out with precision, unfolded as the authorities intercepted a public Sumo cab bearing registration number ML10B6858 at the Vairengte excise gate.
Divisional Forest Officer Margeret Lalramchhani, in a statement to the local newspaper Kolasaib Aw, revealed that upon inspection of the vehicle, the officials at Vairengte excise gate discovered that pangolin scales were being illicitly transported. Acting promptly, forest department officials were notified, and the excise department provided assistance in escorting the vehicle to the Kolasib DFO office for further investigation.
The driver of the Sumo, identified as Daniel (29) son of Ranjit, Salganga, Cachar, disclosed that he operates a service from Shillong to Aizawl. Daniel claimed to have received the suspicious package from a Sumo counter in Happy Valley, Shillong. He asserted that he believed the cargo contained smoke-dried pork and was completely unaware that it was pangolin scales.
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Daniel, who has had a previous court case involving the unwitting transportation of liquor, explained that he came to Aizawl intending to use the Sumo for the transportation of a sofa along with the package given to him for a total of Rs. 6000. According to him, it is a common practice for drivers not to scrutinize the packages they carry.
An official from the district office informed EastMojo that the accused has been placed under judicial custody, and an ongoing investigation is being conducted to ascertain the primary owner.
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