Pune Police Bust Illegal Wildlife Trade, Seize ₹10 Lakh Red Sand Boa In Wanawadi
Pune Police Bust Illegal Wildlife Trade, Seize ₹10 Lakh Red Sand Boa In Wanawadi
Pune, February 17, 2025: The Wanawadi Police Station of Pune City has arrested two individuals involved in the illegal sale of a rare Red Sand Boa (Mandul snake), a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The police seized the reptile, valued at approximately ₹10 lakh, during a special operation.
On February 14, 2025, a combing operation against illegal activities was underway within the Wanawadi police jurisdiction. Police Sub-Inspector Dhanaji Tone, along with Assistant Police Inspector Ramesh Sable and police constables Sarfaraz Deshmukh, Gopal Madane, Amol Gaikwad, Vishnu Sutar, and Sandip Salve, received a tip-off from an informant. The source revealed that two individuals were planning to sell a Red Sand Boa near Saibaba Temple Chowk, Jagtap Chowk, Wanawadi, Pune.
Acting swiftly, PSI Dhanaji Tone set up a trap at the location with witnesses and the police team. At around 12:50 AM on February 15, 2025, two suspects were spotted approaching, one carrying a red and black bag. The police intercepted and detained them, confirming their identities as Mohammad Kamran Abdul Karim (30), resident of Gulbarga, Karnataka and Mithun Shettyba Manjule (30), resident of Vidyanagar, Nilanga, Latur.
A search revealed a Red Sand Boa snake worth ₹10 lakh. Upon verification, it was confirmed that the snake is a protected species under Schedule 3 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The suspects were charged under sections 2(16), 9, and 44(1)(c) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The seized Red Sand Boa has been handed over to the Director of the Wildlife Rescue Center, Bavdhan, Pune, for safe custody.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Satyajit Adamane and Crime Inspector Govind Jadhav. The investigating team included PSI Dhanaji Tone, API Ramesh Sable, and police constables Sarfaraz Deshmukh, Sandip Salve, Somnath Kamble, Gopal Madane, Amol Gaikwad, and Vishnu Sutar.
