In a crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, the Forest Department arrested four persons and seized elephant tusk pieces following a raid conducted in Mysuru based on intelligence inputs from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Nagpur.Officials said the operation was launched after receiving information about an alleged attempt to sell elephant tusks in the city. Acting on the tip-off, a team from the Forest Department raided a house at Ramakrishnanagar in Mysuru on Tuesday.During the search, officials recovered three pieces of elephant tusks from the premises and detained three persons who were present at the spot for questioning.Based on the seizure, a case was registered on Wednesday under provisions relating to wildlife offences, and further investigation was taken up.
The probe subsequently led officials to another suspect believed to be linked to the illegal trade network.The fourth accused was traced and arrested in Kollegal, taking the total number of arrests in the case to four. All the accused were later produced before a court.Forest officials said the operation was carried out by personnel from the Mysuru Territorial Division under the supervision of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Paramesh K. The raid involved range officers, deputy range officers, forest guards and other supporting staff.
