MUMBAI: Flying squad officials of the Forest Department here the other day arrested two persons while smuggling ivory from Anaikatti in Tamil Nadu.
The arrested have been identified as N Shivakumar, 30 of Erode in Tamil Nadu and Vishnu Das, 23, of Mavelikkara in Alappuzha. The two were arrested near the Edappally church while on their way to the city.
“The officials intercepted their two-wheeler and seized the two ivory wrapped in papers, measuring 32.5 c.m and 33 c.m respectively’’, sources said.
The duo was trapped by a forest intelligence team, who called them to Kochi on the pretext of purchasing the ivory.
Investigations revealed that the ivory belonged to an elephant aged between 5-10 years.
They have been booked under provisions of the Wild Life Protection Act.
During interrogation, the duo confessed the ivory pieces were handed to them by a person for sale in Kochi. The accused were produced before the court and were remanded.
A follow-up probe is on to trace the person who handed them over the ivory.
