Six DRI operations seize live tortoises, geckos and trafficked wildlife parts
The agency reports 13 arrests in operations spanning five states, with live animals and wildlife derivatives transferred to forest authorities.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence says six operations over ten days led to 13 arrests and the seizure of two leopard pelts, 180 live Indian star tortoises and 12 live tokay geckos.
The agency also reported about 24 kilograms of pangolin scales and 500 grams of tiger bones. Operations took place in Odisha, Bengaluru, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh and Assam, with the animals, wildlife articles and suspects transferred to forest authorities under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Why it matters
The combination of live animals and derivatives points to trafficking demand across exotic pets, traditional medicine and wildlife parts, with routes extending across several states.
SCULTRA point of view
Enforcement should be followed through chain of custody, animal rehabilitation, network investigation, prosecution and conviction, not assessed by seizure volume alone.
Limitations
Arrests and seizures are enforcement allegations, not convictions. Species identification, origin, network structure and final legal outcomes require follow-up.
Source: Press Information Bureau / Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, 9 September 2026.