Mumbai: The Crime Branch Unit 5 of Kurla, Mumbai, in coordination with the Forest Department, apprehended two individuals for the illegal possession of a carved walking stick made from ivory, valued at approximately Rs 10 lakh in the international market.
The arrests were made on July 1, around 7:00 p.m. near Sarvodaya Hospital, under the Metro Bridge on LBS Road in Ghatkopar (West), Mumbai.
According to Crime Branch officials, Assistant Police Inspector Dhanraj Chaudhary received a tip-off from a confidential informant that two individuals were expected to arrive at the location to sell the ivory artifact.
Acting on the information and under the instructions of senior officers, the Crime Branch informed the Territorial Forest Officer (Wildlife) at Teen Hath Naka, Thane. In response, one officer and two forest staff were deputed for the operation.
A coordinated team of Crime Branch Unit 5 officers and forest officials laid a trap at the identified spot. At around 7:00 p.m., two suspects were apprehended with a carved ivory walking stick.
The seized item and the two accused were handed over to Forest Circle Officer Janardan Bhosale, along with Forest Guards Vikram Pawar and Jyoti Bhosale for further legal action. Further investigation is underway.
