Thane police bust wildlife smuggling ring seizing cobra venom worth Rs 5.2 crore
Five individuals were arrested in Maharashtra after police recovered over 500 mg of cobra venom during a trap in the Kashigaon area.
Thane police dismantled an alleged wildlife smuggling syndicate on Thursday, seizing more than 500 mg of cobra venom valued at Rs 5.2 crore, according to Rediff.
The Crime Detection Unit laid a trap near Dodia Petrol Pump in the Kashigaon area on October 29 following a tip-off.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mira Road Division) Ganpat Pingle told reporters that Mohammed Danish Fayim Khan, 23, and Abdul Karim Rashid Ahmed Shaikh, 51, were caught with two glass vials containing 250 mg and 260 mg of venom.
A third suspect, Faizan Abdul Aziz, 30, was also apprehended at the spot, while a motorcycle and three mobile phones were seized.
Interrogation and technical follow-ups led to the arrest of two suppliers, Faruk Ali Abdul Ali, 37, and Noor Mohammed Wali Mohammed Shaikh, 47, who were based in the Mankhurd area of Mumbai.
The Kashigaon police have registered a case against the accused under the relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.