High Demand for Endangered Tokay Geckos in Southeast Asia's Grey Market Leads to Assam Police Seizure of 11 Lizards.
Dibrugarh, Assam: A joint operation by Assam Police and the Special Task Force (STF) in Dibrugarh district has resulted in the recovery of 11 rare Tokay Geckos and the arrest of three smugglers. The operation, conducted based on a tip-off, took place at 'Sun Fist Dhaba' in the Mohanbari area.
The arrested smugglers have been identified as Debashish Dohutia (34), Manash Dohutia (28), and Deepankar Gharphalia (40). Police reported that the gang was attempting to sell the lizards at ₹1 lakh per piece, having sourced them from Arunachal Pradesh.
Banned in India, High Demand Abroad
Tokay Geckos are highly sought after, particularly in the grey market of Southeast Asia, where they are used in traditional medicine and even black magic. However, their hunting and trade are strictly prohibited in India under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, with offenders facing up to seven years imprisonment.
Details of the Raid
Following the tip-off, the STF and local police initiated surveillance at 'Sun Fist Dhaba'. Two smugglers arrived in a white car, and another on a motorcycle. Shortly after one individual retrieved a bag from the car and returned to the dhaba, the police team raided the location and apprehended the three suspects.
Geographic Distribution in India
Tokay Geckos in India are found only in select areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Their numbers are dwindling, leading to their classification as an endangered species.
Ongoing Police Investigation
The police are investigating the possibility of an interstate or international network involved in this smuggling operation. Further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the gang's previous dealings in Tokay Gecko trafficking.
