Dead black corals, soft corals, horse conches seized from Srisailam, three held

In a joint operation, officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Forest Department seized dead black corals, soft corals, and a few horse conches at Srisailam and arrested three persons on charges of smuggling on December 31 (Tuesday).

In a joint operation, officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Forest Department seized dead black corals, soft corals, and a few horse conches at Srisailam and arrested three persons on charges of smuggling on December 31 (Tuesday).

Acting on a tip-off, the DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit and the forest officers of Sundipenta, intercepted two bikes and an autorickshaw, and seized the marine species.

Two accused were identified as D. Ramanjaneyulu and K. Venkata Ramana, while the identity of the third accused was yet to be confirmed.

“Investigation revealed that the accused procured the dead black corals and soft corals from a smuggler hailing from Prakasam district. A few frames and conches were also seized,” Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Wildlife, Shanti Priya Pandey told The Hindu on January 2, Thursday.

The corals, called ‘Mahendrajaal’ and ‘Indrajaal’, and the conches were packed in cartons. The accused could not furnish any licence to trade the dead species, Ms. Shanti Priya Pandey said.

“The seized soft corals and black corals are listed under the Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and horse conches are listed under Schedule-II of the similar Act,” she said.

The accused have been booked under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, says Ms. Shanti Priya Pandey