Siliguri, 26 January: In recent developments, the Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) team arrested the mastermind of the smuggling business of wildlife carcasses. The accused identified as Tashi Sherpa, a resident of Delhi, has been arrested in a joint operation with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau from the Panitanki area under the jurisdiction of the Kharibari police station.
As per information received, in the year 2015, the Madhya Pradesh STF team had exposed a gang smuggling the body parts of wild animals. During further investigation of the case, the STF had arrested a total of 29 members of the gang. However, the main mastermind of the gang, Tashi Sherpa was still at large. The miscreant left Delhi and was residing in Kharibari to avoid being apprehended by the STF, and was on further plans to flee to Nepal.
Significantly, the Madhya Pradesh STF received a tip-off and immediately contacted the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. Subsequently, the STF launched a joint operation and arrested the main mastermind who has been absconding for years.
Later, the Madhya Pradesh STF presented the accused before the Siliguri court. Following the directions of the court, the STF took the accused on a three-day transit remand and left for Madhya Pradesh.