LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) arrested a Mumbai-based wildlife smuggler in state capital Lucknow and seized seven rare falcons, with an estimated international market value of approximately Rs 14 crore, in a major crackdown on an interstate wildlife trafficking syndicate.
The accused, identified as Firoz Musarrat Khan, a resident of Byculla in Mumbai, Maharashtra, was arrested from a house in Iradat Nagar under the Madiaon police station area of Lucknow.
Additional SP, STF, Avanishwar Srivastava, said that the accused was part of an inter-state network involved in procuring and trafficking rare and protected birds and wildlife.
Acting on a specific tip off that a Mumbai-based smuggler was arriving in Lucknow with prohibited wildlife species, the STF shared the information with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Lucknow, and jointly coordinated the operation. The suspect was, subsequently, intercepted and arrested, with seven falcons recovered from his possession.
"During questioning, Khan allegedly stated that he was part of a trafficking syndicate involved in procuring protected and prohibited bird species from different parts of Uttar Pradesh." said ASP Srivastava.
"The gang sourced the birds from forest areas in Gorakhpur, Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur before routing them through Mumbai for international trafficking. The consignment was intended for supply to foreign destinations, including Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain," said ASP Srivastava.
The STF said the seized falcons belong to a protected species covered under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides the highest level of legal protection to endangered and rare wildlife species in India.
A case has been registered against the accused at Madiaon police station under Sections 9, 39, 49, 50 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Further legal proceedings will be conducted by the local police.
The STF is also examining the wider network and the alleged involvement of other members of the interstate syndicate, including those involved in sourcing, transportation and international supply of the protected birds.
