Guwahati, Dec 11: In a significant crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, the Customs Department on Tuesday seized a tiger skin and arrested two smugglers in the Nilbagan area of Assam’s Nagaon district.

Acting on a tip-off, Customs officials launched an operation and intercepted the suspects, who were reportedly attempting to smuggle the tiger skin to Myanmar. Initial investigations suggest the tiger was killed over a year ago, and the smugglers had been preparing to sell its skin on the black market.

“This incident once again highlights the persistent threat posed by the illegal wildlife trade in the region,” said Varun Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of the Customs Division, Guwahati

Yadav revealed that the smugglers had allegedly killed the animal in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district and were planning to sell it within India or smuggle it abroad. “We are empowered under the Wildlife Act to carry out such operations,” he stated, adding that they sought assistance from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to verify the authenticity of the carcass.

A case has been registered against the accused under the Customs Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. Yadav emphasized that the department will be working closely with the Forest Department to unearth further details related to the smuggling network.

Also Read: Meghalaya has over 29 lakh youth; only 6 lakh people above the age of 45 years

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on-

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub

Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub