CID Forest Squad Arrests Five in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru for Attempted Illegal Sale of Red Sand Boa
Five people were arrested in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district after the CID Forest Mobile Squad of the Forest Department conducted a raid against the alleged illegal sale of a rare and protected Red Sand Boa snake, commonly referred to as a “two-headed snake.”
Officials said the snake is valued at more than Rs 1 crore in the international illegal wildlife market. The operation was carried out in the Vajpayee Layout area of the city following a tip-off that the accused were negotiating the sale of the protected species.
Forest Department officials conducted a raid and apprehended the accused at the scene. The arrested individuals were identified as Vamsikrishna and Arif Basha from Andhra Pradesh, and Yatish, Shafi and another Arif Basha from Karnataka’s Shivamogga and Tumakuru districts.
According to officials, the accused may have been involved in the illegal trade for a long period and the transaction could be part of an organised network.
The Red Sand Boa is a protected species under wildlife protection laws. However, traffickers allegedly spread superstitions claiming that the snake possesses mysterious and medicinal powers.
Officials and experts said such misconceptions have led to sustained demand for the species in the illegal wildlife market, despite there being no scientific basis for these claims.
During the raid, forest officials safely recovered the Red Sand Boa. The snake was handed over to the concerned Forest Department authorities for medical examination and conservation measures.
The Forest Department said steps would be taken to ensure that the animal is safely protected or rehabilitated in its natural habitat.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the group may be linked to a larger interstate wildlife trafficking network. Officials suspect the accused may have been involved in similar illegal transactions for an extended period and could have contacts in other states.
Investigating agencies are now trying to determine where the rare snake was sourced from and whether similar illegal deals had taken place earlier.
A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act and further investigation is underway. Officials stated that strict action would be taken against those involved in the illegal capture, possession or trade of protected wildlife species.
The Forest Department also warned that people involved in such offences would face stringent action and that efforts were being intensified to expose the entire network.
Wildlife trafficking remains a serious offence in India, and authorities have intensified enforcement measures against such activities in recent years. The trafficking of rare species such as the Red Sand Boa poses a threat to biodiversity and ecological balance.
