DRI nabs 2 for trying to smuggle elephant tusks & ivory sculptures worth over Rs 1 cr

Kolkata: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has nabbed two persons from Howrah for allegedly smuggling elephant tusks and different sculptures made from ivory. The materials, which were seized by the DRI officials in presence of Wild Life Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), are worth Rs 1.03 crore.

According to DRI, they recently got a tip that one Sudheesh Chandra Babu and his daughter Amitha S C Babu would be carrying a large quantity of elephant tusks for delivery at Kolkata, with the intention of smuggling it out to Nepal.

Based on the information, DRI Kolkata zonal unit intercepted a sedan, bearing registration no. WB 16AB 6601, at the junction of Kona Expressway and Carry Road, near Santragachi Railway Station on Monday at around 11.15 am.

During a preliminary search, sleuths found elephant tusks concealed in their luggage. When questioned, none of them could produce any valid documents supporting their possession of the elephant tusks. Immediately, both of them were detained and taken to the DRI office in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, in order to determine whether the seized objects were indeed elephant tusks, WCCB officials were requested to arrive and confirm the same. The officials confirmed that the objects were elephant tasks weighing about 3 kg, at Rs 30.93 lakh.

The duo was immediately arrested. During preliminary interrogation, both Sudheesh and Amitha admitted that some stock of raw ivory (elephant tusks) and some ivory statues were being kept at their residential premises located at Rajdanga Main Road in Kasba area, which had been procured from Kerala a few months ago. The accused persons also stated that the objects were intended for export to Nepal via Siliguri.

After getting the information, DRI sleuths along with WCCB officials raided the said residential premises and found 10 sculptures of different idols, two sculpture bases, one packet of jewellery, nine packets of remnant cut pieces of ivory idols, four packets containing ivory dust and one comb made from ivory worth Rs 72.35 lakh in total, were seized.

DRI officials claimed that both the accused have admitted their involvement in the illegal activity for monetary benefit.

Sudheesh used to look after the procurement part from Kerala, while Amitha used look after the sales and supply of the complete sculptures. Both of them also admitted that the manufacturing of idols used to be carried out at their residential premises.

The DRI also came to know that Sudheesh had been arrested in an elephant poaching case of Edamalayar Forest Station at Thundathil range in Kerala and was absconding for the past four years.