Guwahati, April 12: In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police recovered 11 endangered Tokay Gecko lizards and apprehended three alleged smugglers in Dibrugarh district on Friday. The operation was launched following a tip-off from the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), officials confirmed.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Debashis Dohutia (34), Manash Dohutia (28), and Dipankar Gharphalia (40).

Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Tokay Geckos enjoy the highest degree of legal protection in India. Offenses related to their capture or trade are cognizable and non-bailable, with a maximum punishment of seven years of rigorous imprisonment. Export of the species is completely prohibited.

Native to a few forest pockets in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, Tokay Geckos are in high demand in the Southeast Asian grey market, fueling an underground trade.

According to an Assam Police press release, the STF team traveled from Guwahati to Dibrugarh after receiving intelligence that smugglers planned to transport the geckos to Mohanbari in the district. Acting swiftly, the STF, with support from the Dibrugarh district police and operational assistance from the WJC’s South Asia Office, set a trap in the Mohanbari area.

The suspects were intercepted at Sun Feast Dhaba in Mohanbari Tiniali. Two arrived in a white car (registration number AS-23W-5506), while the third came on a motorcycle (registration number AS-06AF-0276). After assembling inside the dhaba, one of the men retrieved a red backpack from the car and re-entered the premises. At that moment, the STF team moved in and apprehended all three suspects.

Upon searching the backpack in the presence of independent witnesses and following due legal procedures, the team discovered 11 Tokay Geckos tied inside nylon bags. Several mobile phones and documents were also recovered and seized.

During on-spot interrogation, the accused revealed they had sourced the geckos from Arunachal Pradesh and intended to sell each one for Rs 1 lakh.

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