DRI-Nagpur unit seizes 17kg of pangolin scales in Chhattisgarh The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Nagpur Regional Unit successfully dismantled an inter-state pangolin trafficking syndicate in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, recovering 17kg of pangolin scales. Acting on intelligence, the DRI team, operating under the Mumbai zonal unit, apprehended three individuals involved in the illicit trade on Sunday. The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), a critically endangered species, is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Authorities stated that any trade in pangolins or their body parts is strictly prohibited. The seized scales and the arrested individuals were handed over to the Forest Range Officer in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, for further legal proceedings. This operation marks another significant success for the DRI Nagpur Regional Unit, which has been actively combating wildlife trafficking since 2025. Over the past year, the unit has dismantled multiple syndicates involved in the illegal trade of wildlife products. Notable cases include the seizure of leopard skins from Madhya Pradesh, a tiger cub poaching incident in Seoni, and a pangolin scale racket in Pileru, Andhra Pradesh. These operations highlight the unit’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and disrupting networks that exploit India’s biodiversity. The pangolin trade remains a critical issue globally, as these animals are highly sought after for their scales, which are used in traditional medicine and as luxury items. The Indian pangolin, in particular, faces severe threats due to habitat loss and poaching. Conservationists emphasize that the illegal trade not only endangers the species but also undermines ecological balance.#dri_nagpur #dri_mumbai #jagdalpur_chhattisgarh #forest_range_officer_jagdalpur #wildlife_protection_act
