Sun Jan 12 19:25:00 UTC 2025: ## Six Arrested in Vellore for Illegal Possession of Pangolin
**Vellore, January 13, 2025** – Six individuals were arrested on Sunday in Odugathur village near Vellore for possessing a young Indian pangolin, a protected species. The arrests followed a tip-off from the Chennai-based Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
The accused, identified as K. Ramraj (36), V. Gajendran (62), P. Gopal (46), G. Madhavan (54), N. Pandian (52), and S. Mani (45), were apprehended after forest officials, posing as potential buyers, tracked the animal’s movement to Mani’s house. The pangolin was found in a cage.
Initial investigations suggest that Mani initially concealed the animal before conspiring with Madhavan to sell it. The other accused were allegedly involved in the search for buyers.
The arrests were made under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, following orders from Vellore District Forest Officer Guruswamy Dabbala. All six individuals were produced before a local court and remanded to Vellore Central Prison. A full investigation is underway.
First Piper 