Gang smuggling narcotic substances busted in Dausa, four arrested
The team, which comprised cyber experts, received an input that four smugglers are standing near a toll plaza near stone mart..from their possession, 468 gm smack and two rare star tortoises were recovered
JAIPUR : With the arrest of four persons, Dausa police have busted a gang involved in the smuggling of smack and other narcotic substances, the police said.
“Two rare star tortoises were also recovered from the possession of one of the gang members,” said S Sengathir, inspector general of police (IGP), Jaipur range.
Sengathir said that looking into the rise in incidents of smuggling of narcotic substances in Dausa district, a special team was formed to nab the smugglers.
“The team, which comprised cyber experts, received an input that four smugglers are standing near a toll plaza near stone mart,” he said.
Acting on the input, a team was rushed to the spot and four accused, sitting in a car, were arrested. “From their possession, 468 gm smack and two rare star tortoises were recovered,” he added.
The arrested accused were identified as Bharat Arora (34), Fateh Singh Gurjar (23), Prabhudayal Saini (24) and Kamlesh Jangid (45).
The police are investigating whether there is any gang operational in the district that is involved in the smuggling of animals or their parts restricted under the Wildlife Act.
A senior official of the wildlife crime control bureau, who didn’t want to be named, said, “The trend of smuggling tortoises and turtles started six years ago in state. In 2012 and 2013, a few cases were unearthed by the special operations group of Rajasthan police too in Kota. Tortoises are easily available in various water bodies.” S SENGATHIR, inspector general of police, Jaipur range
The official added that there are two major reasons behind the smuggling of the ”protected species”.
Many tribes consume its meat, while many businessmen keep them as a superstition, as it is believed that turtles or their shells bring money to the person who possesses them.
The street value of a turtle is around Rs 30, 000. Wildlife experts say the price depends upon the type of the buyer, species of the turtle and its nails. A few businessmen consider a turtle with 20 nails auspicious and are willing to pay a premium for them. If a turtle has star on its shell, its street price can be as high as Rs 100,000.