DRI Busts Ivory Trafficking Syndicate

• DRI seized 54 intricately carved ivory artefacts in Lucknow.
• Four members of an alleged wildlife trafficking syndicate arrested.
• Seized items handed over to the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department.
• Operation reinforces India’s crackdown on illegal wildlife trade.

GG News Bureau
Lucknow, 20th Aug: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Wednesday busted an alleged ivory trafficking syndicate and seized 54 intricately carved ivory artefacts during an operation in Lucknow, leading to the arrest of four persons.

According to the DRI, the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the illegal trade in ivory artefacts. Acting on the information, officers intercepted four suspected members of the syndicate and recovered a collection of finely crafted items believed to be made from elephant ivory.

The seized artefacts include animal figurines such as bulls, elephants and dogs, human figurines depicting a warrior and a mother holding her child, along with decorative and household items including scissors, combs, agarbatti stands and sindoor danis.

Officials said the recovered artefacts are intricately designed, finely detailed and are believed to possess substantial commercial and potential antique value.

Following the seizure, the ivory artefacts and the four accused were handed over to the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department for further investigation under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The Act prohibits the trade and commerce of elephant ivory and articles made from it, in line with India’s commitments under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The DRI noted that the latest operation follows a series of recent crackdowns on wildlife trafficking. In July, the agency seized 11 kg of elephant ivory tusks in Rajasthan’s Sujangarh and two intricately designed ivory idols in Howrah, West Bengal. Earlier in May, DRI officers had dismantled another wildlife trafficking network in Mysuru, Karnataka, recovering 4 kg of elephant tusks.

The agency said the recent operations underscore the growing threat posed by illegal wildlife trafficking and reaffirm its commitment to protecting India’s biodiversity by dismantling organised criminal networks involved in the illicit wildlife trade.