Assam’s STF Foils Lizard Smuggling Bid, Holds 3 Traffickers and Rescues 11 Rare Tokay Geckos
Assam Police Crackdown on Wildlife Trafficking Seizes 11 Tokay Geckos, Arrests Three Suspects
In a significant operation, the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police has arrested three men and recovered 11 Tokay Geckos, a species protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, during a crackdown on wildlife trafficking in Dibrugarh district. The arrests were made following specific intelligence about the smuggling of Tokay Geckos, locally known as Keko Saap.
According to Rajib Saikia, CPRO of Assam Police, the STF team acting on the intelligence received a tip-off that the smugglers were planning to transport the reptiles to Mohanbari in Dibrugarh district. The team set up a trap at the Mohanbari area with the help of Dibrugarh district police and close operational and intelligence support from the Wildlife Justice Commission, South Asia Office.
On April 11, the STF team spotted three suspected smugglers at Sun Feast Dhaba at Mohanbari Tiniali. Two of them arrived in a white car bearing registration number AS-23W-5506, and one came in a motorcycle bearing registration number AS-06AF-0276. The three persons assembled and entered the dhaba. During their stay, one of them retrieved a red-coloured backpack from the car and entered the dhaba.
The STF team rushed into the dhaba and apprehended the three persons, who were found to be in possession of the red-coloured backpack. Upon interrogation, they revealed their names as Debashis Dohutia (34), Manash Dohutia (28), and Dipankar Gharphalia (40). The team searched the backpack and discovered 11 Tokay Geckos tied inside nylon bags. The reptiles were seized in the presence of independent witnesses. Additionally, the STF recovered mobile phones and identity documents from the accused, which were taken into custody.
The arrested individuals disclosed that they had collected and brought the seized Tokay Geckos from Arunachal Pradesh and had finalized a deal to sell each of the reptiles for Rs 1 lakh. The STF seized the 11 Tokay Geckos, the white car, the motorcycle, three mobile phones, and documents including PAN, Aadhaar, driving licence, and voter ID.
The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 provides maximum punishment of seven years’ rigorous imprisonment, a cognizable and non-bailable offense, for the sale and trafficking of endangered species like the Tokay Gecko. The species is found only in a few pockets in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
The Assam Police’s STF has demonstrated its commitment to combating wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species. The successful operation not only brings the perpetrators to justice but also highlights the need for concerted efforts to conserve and protect biodiversity in the region.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/special-task-force-stf-seizes-11-rare-lizard-tokay-geckos-3-smugglers-held-in-assams-dibrugarh/articleshow/120224964.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-04-12 11:14:00
