Pudukottai Forest Officials Intercept Six-Man Syndicate with Smuggled Elephant Tusks
Forest Department officials arrested six suspects near Kepparai for attempting to sell elephant tusks. Authorities seized the contraband along with mobile phones and a vehicle during the operation.
Law Enforcement Operation Thwarts Wildlife Trafficking
Acting on specific intelligence regarding the illicit sale of elephant tusks, a specialized unit from the Forest Department conducted a targeted surveillance operation in Pudukottai district on July 26, 2026. The intervention took place near Kepparai, where officials intercepted six individuals allegedly involved in the trafficking of ivory. Investigators believe the tusks originated from the border regions between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Evidence Seized and Identities Confirmed
The authorities apprehended the following individuals during the raid:
- Arulanantham and Swaminathan from Pudukkottai
- Rohit and Vinoth from Ramanathapuram
- Karthikeyan from Sivaganga
- Sivakumar from Salem
Officers recovered two elephant tusks, seven mobile handsets, and one two-wheeler from the scene. The items were taken into custody as part of the formal evidence collection process.
Ongoing Investigation and Fugitive Search
While six men are currently in custody, the Forest Department has launched an active manhunt to locate and arrest a seventh suspect who remains at large. A formal case has been registered by the department. Current investigative efforts focus on tracing the exact geographical source of the ivory and identifying the broader network involved in transporting the tusks across district and state lines.
Source: The Hindu — News
