In one of India’s largest coordinated crackdowns on wildlife trafficking, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized more than 440 endangered and protected wild animals, recovered around 15 kg of elephant ivory and ivory articles, and arrested 33 people involved in illegal wildlife trade across multiple states. The nationwide intelligence-led operations were announced by the Ministry of Finance on July 13.

The largest ivory seizure occurred near Sujangarh, Rajasthan, where DRI officers recovered approximately 11 kg of elephant ivory and apprehended four suspects. In a separate operation in Mysuru, Karnataka, officials seized another 4 kg of ivory and arrested three people. In Howrah, West Bengal, two individuals were caught with ivory idols believed to have been smuggled into India from Bangladesh. All cases have been handed over to the respective authorities for action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

A major joint operation conducted by the DRI, the CBI’s Economic Offences Branch, and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) dismantled an interstate wildlife trafficking syndicate operating across Maharashtra and West Bengal. The operation resulted in the rescue of 15 slow lorises, two binturongs, 28 Indian star tortoises, six Egyptian vultures, and two shikra birds, while six accused were arrested by the CBI.

The DRI also intercepted several attempts to smuggle exotic wildlife into India through international airports by passengers arriving from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Colombo. Authorities rescued numerous protected species, including gibbons, turtles, pythons, iguanas, monitor lizards, tortoises, marmosets, skinks, and monkeys.

Further coordinated operations across Bengaluru, Warangal, Pune, Surat, Chennai, Kolkata, Trichy, Madurai, Srikakulam, Hojai (Assam), Rajasthan, Mysuru, and Howrah led to the seizure of wildlife products such as pangolin scales, leopard pelts, seahorse-based products, red sanders, and several protected reptiles, birds, and mammals. These operations were carried out in collaboration with the CBI, WCCB, Customs, state forest departments, and local police.

The extensive crackdown highlights India’s continued efforts to dismantle organized wildlife crime networks and strengthen enforcement of national wildlife laws and international commitments under CITES to protect endangered species.

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