Guwahati, May 2: In a major victory against wildlife trafficking and trans-border crime, the Border Security Force (BSF) under the Guwahati Frontier apprehended two smugglers and seized a staggering 202 Sand Boas in Assam’s Dhubri district, near the Indo-Bangladesh international border.

The operation was conducted on May 1, 2025, by personnel of the 66 Battalion BSF, who had been maintaining close surveillance in the border region. According to officials, the snakes were found concealed in sacks, intended for illegal export to Bangladesh.

The arrested individuals and the seized reptiles were handed over to the Dhubri Forest Department for legal proceedings under the Wildlife Protection Act.

While the smuggling attempt may seem unusual, experts say such cases are increasingly common along India’s porous borders. The Sand Boa, particularly the red sand boa (Eryx johnii), is one of the most trafficked reptile species in South Asia. Despite being non-venomous and generally shy, this burrowing snake is often targeted due to widespread superstitions that it brings luck and wealth or possesses medicinal properties—claims with no scientific basis.

These beliefs drive a thriving illegal market, with specimens sold as exotic pets or used in occult practices, especially across parts of South Asia and the Middle East.

The red sand boa is listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List, indicating a declining population. It is also protected under Schedule IV of India’s Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which prohibits its hunting, possession, and trade. Furthermore, it is included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning any international trade must be strictly regulated.

Also Read: Arunachal Pradesh: Female wild elephant rescued at Deomali

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