Forest department officials in Kerala have arrested nine people in two separate busts. The gangs were caught trying to sell deer antlers, a rare two-headed snake, and fox hair, which is apparently used for black magic.
The Forest Department has busted a major wildlife trafficking racket in Thiruvananthapuram, arresting nine people in two separate operations. The officials acted on a secret tip-off and nabbed the gangs from Neyyattinkara.
In the first bust, a five-member gang was caught red-handed while trying to sell deer antlers and fox hair at a juice shop in Arakkunnu. The arrested men are Jimshin (32), Jayan (57) from Ernakulam’s Chilavannoor, Manoj (50) from Vaduthala Bridge Road, P.B. Cherian (51) from Kottayam’s Ettumanoor, and Shijulal (42) from Marayamuttom’s Kaikkottukuzhi. According to officials, the fox hair was meant to be sold for use in black magic rituals.
In a second operation at Neyyattinkara’s T.B. Junction, the forest team arrested four more people. This group was trying to find a buyer for a rare two-headed snake. The accused have been identified as Sudarsanan (54) from Karunagappally, Keshavakumar (51) from Ooruttambalam, Anwar P.K. (48) from Lakshadweep, and Ratheesh (50) from Marayamuttom.
The raids were planned after the Forest Intelligence wing and the Crime Control Bureau received specific information about the illegal trade. All nine accused were produced before a forest court and have been remanded to custody. Officials confirmed that they will face further action under the Wildlife Protection Act.