Rayagada: Forest department officials have seized 1,130 pangolin scales weighing 4.56kg and arrested three people during a raid at a ground near the District Collector’s office in Rayagada.
The arrested men have been identified as Jagan Himirika, 38, of Panasput village, and two brothers, Nilambar Khosla, 67, and Purushottam Khosla, 48, of Kumbhikota village in Rayagada district.
The officials also seized two motorcycles allegedly used by the accused.
Rayagada forest range officer Anil Panigrahi said the three were arrested under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. After medical examinations, they were produced in court Sunday.
According to forest officials, the raid was ordered by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sachin Anasaheb Ahole after receiving information about the suspected trafficking of pangolin scales.
Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Satish Kumar Dharua is investigating the case.
Officials suspect that the scales were obtained by killing pangolins in the Rayagada forest range and were intended for sale.
The investigation is underway, and the Forest Department is working to identify and apprehend the alleged prime accused, the range officer said.
Several forest officials and forest guards took part in the operation.
