Forest Department Nabs 6 in Indian Pangolin Smuggling Case in Pune

In Pune, the Forest Department made a significant breakthrough by apprehending six individuals on February 13th in connection with the smuggling of Indian Pangolins.

The operation, conducted in the Ghodegaon area of the Junnar Forest Division, resulted in the detention of seven suspects, with six of them subsequently arrested and remanded in custody until February 17th.

The suspects identified in the investigation include Rohidas Pandharinath Kulekar (55) and Kantaram Sakharam Vaje (49) from Bhomale (Taluka Khed), Sakharam Baban Marade (43) from Pabhe (Taluka Khed), Sagar Punaji Memane (31) from Taleran (Taluka Junnar), Jalinder Kandu Kashale (65) from Badeshwar (Taluka Maval), Geeta Nandkumar Jagdale from Chavanvasti Kumthe (Taluka Koregaon, District Satara), and Shantaram Somnath Kudekar (32) from Karanjal.

The arrests mark a significant step in combating wildlife trafficking, particularly concerning the endangered Indian Pangolin, classified under Schedule 1 protection.