Fri Oct 11 10:05:14 UTC 2024: ## Cuffe Parade Police Crack Down on Wildlife Smuggling, Rescue Red Sand Boa Snake
**Mumbai, October 8, 2024:** In a successful operation against wildlife smuggling, the Cuffe Parade police arrested four individuals near Maker Tower in South Mumbai for attempting to sell a Red Sand Boa snake illegally. Acting on a tip-off, police officers set up a trap and apprehended the suspects who arrived in a Maruti Ertiga car.
A search of the vehicle revealed a large bag containing a live Red Sand Boa snake, weighing approximately 5 kilograms and measuring 55 inches in length. The snake was immediately confiscated and handed over to a forest range officer in Thane for safekeeping.
The arrested individuals, identified as Narsingh Satyama Dhoti (40) and Shiv Mallesh Adap (18) from Telangana, Ravi Vasant Bhoir (54) from Mulund, Mumbai, and Arvind Chaturm Gupta (26) from Mumbra, Thane district, are currently in police custody.
A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act. The police investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the illegal operation and identify potential accomplices.
The Red Sand Boa, though non-venomous, is often targeted by smugglers due to myths surrounding its medicinal properties and use in black magic practices. The successful interception of the snake is a significant step in the fight against wildlife trafficking and highlights the importance of community vigilance and police collaboration.
First Piper 