Fri Jan 31 13:20:51 UTC 2025: **Forest Officials Foil Elephant Tusk Smuggling Attempt in Dindigul**
DINDIGUL, January 31, 2025 – A joint operation by the Department of Forests successfully thwarted an attempt to sell an elephant tusk in Dindigul on Friday. Acting on a tip-off that a gang was transporting the tusk towards Madurai, officials intercepted an SUV at Nochi Odaipatti and seized a 600-gram tusk.
Four suspects – Perumal and Jayakumar of Sirumalai, Prabu of Siluvathur, and Rangaraj of Gopalpatti – were apprehended. Their conflicting statements led to separate interrogations at the Sirumalai forest office. Investigations revealed that Perumal acquired the tusk after a fight between two elephants resulted in a broken tusk. He then partnered with the other suspects to sell it, connecting with a Kerala-based dealer, Joshi. The group was headed to Madurai to meet a potential buyer when intercepted.
The Wildlife Protection Act prohibits the possession or sale of elephant tusks without a valid certificate. The vehicle has been impounded, and further investigations are underway to determine the final destination of the tusk and the extent of the smuggling operation. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is assisting in the investigation.
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