Revenue Intelligence seizes ivory, leopard skin, live pangolins and tiger parts in Maharashtra operations
2 October 2026
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has acted against illegal wildlife trafficking in three intelligence-led operations in Maharashtra.
Four elephant tusks and carved ivory articles, one leopard skin, two live pangolins, three kilograms of tiger bones, two tiger canines and two motorcycles were seized.
Eleven persons were apprehended in all, three in the ivory case, two in the leopard skin case and six in the pangolin and tiger parts case.
The action was taken under Section 49B of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; the species involved are listed in Schedule I of that Act and the pangolin is covered by Appendix I of CITES.
The leopard skin was seized near Purada village in Gondia district on 29 September 2026, and the pangolins and tiger parts in the Allapalli forest area on 26 and 27 September 2026.
The forest department, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau in Mumbai and an anti-poaching unit worked with the agency on the operation conducted on 26 and 27 September 2026.
In plain words
DRI Directorate of Revenue Intelligence — The central agency under the finance ministry that investigates smuggling and customs offences.
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora — An international agreement that regulates cross-border trade in listed wild species; Appendix I species face the strictest ban.
WCCB Wildlife Crime Control Bureau — A statutory body under the environment ministry that coordinates action against organised wildlife crime.