In a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized a leopard skin during an undercover operation in Chandigarh.

The operation, jointly conducted by the DRI Regional Unit Chandigarh and Zonal Unit Ludhiana, was launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs. Acting on the information, officers posed as prospective buyers and engaged two suspects attempting to sell the contraband at a discreet location.

During the covert deal, the traffickers were lured into producing the leopard skin. Once confirmed, the officers immediately apprehended both individuals and seized the prohibited wildlife article.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused had travelled from Jaipur and Udaipur to Chandigarh to take delivery of the skin, suspected to have been sourced from Himachal Pradesh for smuggling and commercial sale.

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, granting it the highest level of legal protection in India. Possession, transportation, or commercial trade in any Schedule I species or its body parts constitutes a grave punishable offence under this Act. Leopards are also listed under CITES Appendix I.

Both accused were arrested for violations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chandigarh, who remanded them to judicial custody. Further action is underway.

The DRI, under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Ministry of Finance, is India’s apex anti-smuggling agency, responsible for curbing contraband trade, drug trafficking, and illicit international wildlife trade.

Dri leopard skin wildlife trafficking chandigarh ludhiana jaipur udaipur himachal seizure arrest smuggling cites schedule i