Sun Oct 05 13:00:53 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Indian Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials in Hyderabad seized 6.53 kg of Indian pangolin scales and apprehended four individuals involved in illegal trade in Hanamkonda, Telangana. The pangolin scales were sourced from about five Indian pangolins, which is a protected species under Indian and International Law. Pangolins are heavily trafficked for their scales, which are used in traditional medicine, primarily in China and Southeast Asia. The seized items and accused were handed over to the Forest Range Officer for further investigation.

**News Article:**

**Indian Authorities Seize Pangolin Scales, Arrest Four in Illegal Wildlife Trade Bust**

**HYDERABAD, October 5, 2025** – The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Hyderabad Zonal Unit, announced today the seizure of 6.53 kilograms of Indian pangolin scales in Hanamkonda, Telangana, marking a significant blow to the illegal wildlife trade. Four individuals have been apprehended in connection with the crime.

The operation, conducted on October 4th, was based on specific intelligence inputs, leading DRI officers to conduct surveillance and search activities in Hanamkonda. The recovered scales are believed to have been sourced from approximately five Indian pangolins.

The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is a highly protected species, listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and Appendix I of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). These classifications prohibit any form of trade or possession of the animal or its parts.

DRI officials emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that pangolins are among the most heavily trafficked mammals globally. The primary driver of this illicit trade is the demand for their scales in international markets, particularly in China and Southeast Asia, where they are used in traditional medicines.

The seized pangolin scales have been secured under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and the four arrested individuals have been handed over to the Forest Range Officer in Hanamkonda for further investigation and prosecution. This successful operation underscores India’s commitment to combating wildlife crime and protecting its endangered species.

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