CBI-DRI Joint Action Busts Wildlife Trafficking Racket

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions CBI-DRI Joint Action Busts Wildlife Trafficking Racket 53 Protected Animals/ Birds Rescued, 06 Accused Arrested प्रव तथ: 09 JUL 2026 6:51PM by PIB Mumbai New Delhi/Mumbai : 9 July 2026 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and DRI, Mumbai, in a joint operation, with support from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Mumbai/Kolkata, have recovered and rescued 15 Slow Loris, 2 Binturong, 28 Star Tortoises, 6 Egyptian Vultures and 2 Shikra birds. These animals and birds are listed under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, with the highest level of protection in India.

The joint action was conducted at multiple locations in Maharashtra and West Bengal, based on specific intelligence developed by DRI Mumbai about an interstate crime syndicate involved in the trade of wildlife protected under the Wildlife

(Protection) Act, 1972.

The CBI registered two separate cases on 7th and 8th July, 2026 and three accused persons have been arrested in Mumbai, and three others arrested in Kolkata.

The case was registered under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Criminal Conspiracy under Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The animals and birds were sourced by the accused from various parts of India for trading. After the initial proceedings, the wildlife was handed over to the forest departments of Maharashtra and West Bengal, respectively, for safe custody and handling of the recovered wildlife species.

This joint action demonstrates collaboration between the two law enforcement agencies to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks and proactively enforce the Wildlife Protection Act.

The investigation of the case is ongoing.

Source: CBI PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/ Priti Malandkar

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