Two people have been arrested and two elephant tusks seized during an operation by the Assam Police Special Task Force (STF) in Tamulpur district, police said on Saturday.
The operation was conducted on Friday night at Bangalipara in Tamulpur following information about the alleged trafficking of elephant ivory. During the operation, STF personnel arrested two persons and recovered two elephant tusks from their possession.
According to a statement issued by the police, the seized tusks weighed 2.09 kg and 1.97 kg, respectively, bringing their combined weight to around 4.06 kg.
A preliminary investigation indicated that the two accused were allegedly attempting to sell the ivory tusks for approximately ₹6 lakh. Police said the negotiated price was around ₹1.5 lakh per kilogram.
Following the arrests and seizure, the STF handed over the two accused and the recovered tusks to the Forest Department for further legal action and investigation. An FIR was lodged in connection with the case.
Authorities are now investigating the source of the elephant tusks and the intended buyers. The Forest Department will also examine whether the arrested persons were connected to a wider network involved in the illegal trafficking of wildlife, wildlife parts and related products.
The police said the further investigation will focus on uncovering the wider inter-state and pan-India network allegedly involved in wildlife trafficking.
The seizure comes as authorities continue efforts to prevent the illegal trade of wildlife products and to identify networks involved in the movement and sale of protected animal parts.
