In Srinagar, DRI officers arrest 8 people and confiscate 4 leopard skins

According to the Ministry of Finance, DRI agents have detained eight people from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir who were engaged in the illicit wildlife trade and recovered four leopard (Panthera pardus) skins.
The DRI began an operation after gathering specific information over time that certain gangs in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), were engaged in the illicit wildlife trade and looking for potential customers to acquire leopard skins. As a result, a thorough strategy was created to capture the gang members.
“Officers from the Mumbai Zonal Unit (Goa Regional Unit) arrived in Srinagar, J&K, posing as purchasers. The first leopard skin was delivered by the vendors to a prearranged location in Srinagar close to Dalgate after numerous rounds of haggling. Near the specified location, surveillance officers detained a person carrying a leopard skin. According to his knowledge, a second accomplice was also detained in Srinagar in a public area, the Ministry said.

After getting the first catch, the rounds of heated haggling with another group of dealers proceeded.

The vendors agreed to deliver three leopard skins to a predetermined spot after an extended discussion that lasted all night. Three individuals transporting the illegal goods—three leopard skins—were stopped.

Three additional people involved in the transaction were waiting nearby at a public location, according to leads that information acquired from them produced.

“Two teams of cops were sent out right away, and they stopped three people in the public area. As a result, four leopard skins (Panthera pardus) and a total of eight people participating in this illicit wildlife trade, including a police officer in the line of duty, were apprehended. Initial research indicated that the leopards may have been stolen from Ladakh, Doda, and Uri, according to the Ministry.

The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, as modified, has a clause known as section 50(1)(c) that allowed for the seizure of the four leopard skins in question.

After the first seizure procedures under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the confiscated contraband and the 8 individuals who committed the offense under the Act were given to the representatives of the Department of Wild Life Protection, Jammu and Kashmir.