DRI Hyderabad Ivory Bust: Four Elephant Tusks Seized, Three Apprehended In Banjara Hills
HYDERABAD: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers seized four elephant tusks and intricately carved ivory articles weighing about 17 kg during an operation in Banjara Hills on Thursday, October 1. Three people were apprehended while an alleged sale transaction was underway, according to officials.
The DRI Hyderabad ivory bust followed specific intelligence about an attempted illegal ivory sale. Officers laid a trap and intercepted the three suspects in Banjara Hills as the transaction was taking place. The seized material included the four tusks and carved ivory articles described as trophies.
DRI Hyderabad Ivory Bust Leads To Three Apprehensions
The Elephant tusks seized in the operation weighed about 17 kg in total along with the other ivory articles. DRI officials took the material into custody under the relevant provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The agency said the legislation prohibits trade in elephant ivory and dealing in articles made from it. The three people were apprehended in connection with the alleged sale; their identities were not disclosed in the reports reviewed for this article.
According to Deccan Chronicle, which cited PTI and identified the seizure photograph as originating from DRI Hyderabad, officials acted on specific intelligence before intercepting the alleged transaction.
Elephant Tusks Seized Under Wildlife Protection Law
The Elephant tusks seized are part of a wider enforcement challenge involving illegal trade in wildlife products. Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, the commercial dealing and trade of elephant ivory are prohibited.
DRI said it conducts intelligence-based operations against the trafficking and illegal trade of wildlife, wildlife trophies and articles derived from protected species.
The agency did not publicly identify the source of the ivory in the information available. Establishing where the tusks came from and whether the suspects were connected to other participants will form part of the follow-up investigation.
India Wildlife Trafficking Investigation To Continue
The India wildlife trafficking issue extends beyond individual seizures, with enforcement agencies and forest authorities investigating how protected wildlife products are sourced, transported and offered for sale.
In this case, the operation targeted an alleged transaction before the ivory could be sold. The DRI Hyderabad ivory bust therefore resulted in the physical recovery of the tusks and carved articles as well as the apprehension of three people.
The seized items and the apprehended persons are expected to be handed over to the Forest Department for further investigation, according to the details released about the operation. The precise charges and any additional findings will depend on the investigation.
For now, the confirmed developments are the seizure of four elephant tusks and carved ivory articles weighing about 17 kg, the apprehension of three people in Banjara Hills, and action under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The India wildlife trafficking investigation remains ongoing, and any wider link to an organised network has yet to be established by authorities.
