Animal News (Except Bigcats)

[Apollo]

3 musk deer poachers held on Mumbai-Goa highway, 7.5L goods seized


Three Pune-based wildlife smugglers were arrested by the Mahad-MIDC police in Raigad district on Sunday. They were charged under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, for illegally procuring and transporting banned wildlife artefacts and musk, by killing endangered musk deer in Indian forests.

Ganesh Dhokale (24), Lakshman More (30) and Pradeep Jhumbade (24); all residents of Malevadi, in Pune district have been sent to police custody till June 21. The seized musk is worth Rs 7.5 lakh in illegal market.

"We discovered them by chance while checking vehicles plying on the Mumbai-Goa Highway on Sunday. After we stopped the vehicle in which the three accused were travelling, we got a peculiarly strong fragrance emanating from inside. On further questioning, we realized that the scent was coming from the body parts of the musk deer that was hidden inside," said a police official.

Investigating officer, Shankar Sakpal, said that the youths have confessed that the musk was procured from the forests in Jejuri, near Pune.Further investigation is on to find out how these highly endangered musk deer were poached. Five more persons will be arrested soon, said sources


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