Belakoba, 12th December: Belakoba Range Officer Sanjay Dutta poured cold water on the plan of a smuggler who was trying to sell endangered species on the internet. Reportedly, the ranger came across a video on social media posted by a man who was trying to sell 2 turtles that classify as endangered.
After much effort, the forest personnel were successful in tracking the accused. The team along with the help of Bhaktinagar police station cops under Siliguri Metropolitan Police raided his house located at Hakimpara Sanghati More on Sunday night. The team rescued the said reptiles and also took Bapi Dutta into custody for questioning. The market price of the reptile is said to be very lofty.
As per the information, it is illegal to keep such endangered species in the house. Doing so can lead to 7 years in jail. The officials suspect other people must also be involved in this racket. They have started investigating the matter and grilling Bapi for more information. Today the accused was produced in Jalpaiguri court.