**Executive Summary**
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a series of intelligence-driven, pan-India operations in July 2026 to dismantle illegal wildlife trafficking networks. These coordinated efforts resulted in the seizure of over 440 endangered animals and approximately 15 kg of ivory, leading to the arrest of 33 individuals. The operations underscore India’s commitment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and international obligations under CITES.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Seizures of Animals and Wildlife Products**
* **Endangered Fauna:** Rescued over 440 protected animals, including Slow Lorises, Binturongs, Star Tortoises, Egyptian Vultures, Shikra birds, and various exotic species like Gibbons, marmosets, and specialized pythons.
* **Ivory Recoveries:** Seized 11 kg of ivory near Sujangarh (Rajasthan), 4 kg in Mysuru, and ivory idols in Howrah suspected of being smuggled from Bangladesh.
* **Additional Derivatives:** Confiscated pangolin scales, leopard pelts, seahorse-based wildlife articles, and Red sanders.
**Significant Operations**
* **Interstate Syndicate:** A joint operation by DRI, CBI, and WCCB on July 7–8, 2026, busted a major syndicate across Maharashtra and West Bengal, marking a first-of-its-kind large-scale collaboration.
* **Airport Interceptions:** Foiled multiple smuggling attempts at international airports in Bengaluru, Kolkata, Trichy, and Madurai involving passengers arriving from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Colombo.
* **Broad Geographical Reach:** Operations spanned multiple cities including Pune, Surat, Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, Srikakulam, and Hojai (Assam).
**Legal and Regulatory Framework**
* **Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:** Enforcement focused on species listed under Schedule I, which prohibits the trade of elephants and their derivatives.
* **Trade Prohibitions:** Commercial ivory trade is banned in India under CITES obligations, and the Foreign Trade Policy strictly prohibits the import and export of ivory.
**Impact Analysis**
**Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)**
**Impact**
The agency successfully disrupted transnational trafficking networks and strengthened India’s biodiversity protection efforts through intelligence-led operations.
**Action Required**
Continue to develop intelligence and lead coordinated efforts with partner enforcement agencies to combat organized wildlife crime.
**Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)**
**Impact**
Participated in joint operations and took over the formal investigation of the interstate wildlife trafficking syndicate busted in July 2026.
**Action Required**
Conduct thorough investigations into the six apprehended accused persons and oversee the legal proceedings of the case.
**State Forest Departments**
**Impact**
Tasked with taking custody of apprehended individuals and seized ivory/wildlife for further legal action.
**Action Required**
Initiate and manage prosecutions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and ensure the rehabilitation of rescued endangered species.
**Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and Airport Customs**
**Impact**
Provided critical support and execution capabilities for joint operations and airport interceptions.
**Action Required**
Maintain high vigilance at international transit points and provide technical support to primary investigative agencies.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): The lead enforcement agency under the Ministry of Finance that conducted pan-India intelligence-driven operations to bust wildlife trafficking networks.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: The primary legal framework under which seizures were made and persons were apprehended for the illegal trade of protected species listed under its schedules.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): An international treaty whose obligations India follows to prohibit commercial trade in ivory and protect endangered fauna and flora.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): The agency that conducted joint operations with DRI and is investigating interstate wildlife trafficking syndicates.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): A statutory body that provided critical support in large-scale joint operations to combat organized wildlife crime.
Ministry of Finance
DRI busts several wildlife trafficking networks
across India operations
Over 440 endangered/protected wild life animals and about
15 kg in ivory articles and elephant ivory seized in
coordinated operations across country; 33 arrested
प्रव तथ: 13 JUL 2026 7:22PM by PIB Delhi
In a series of intelligence-driven pan-India operations against illegal wildlife trafficking, Directorate of
Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 440 endangered/protected wild life animals and about 15 kg in
ivory articles and elephant ivory in coordinated operations across country; and arrested 33 persons
involved in wildlife trafficking.
On 10.07.26, officers of DRI intercepted persons engaged in the illegal trade of elephant ivory near
Sujangarh, Rajasthan. The operation resulted in the recovery and seizure of about 11 kg elephant ivory.
Four persons were apprehended and, were handed over to the Forest Department along with the seized
ivory, for further action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus)
is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits trade in elephants and
their derivatives. Commercial trade in ivory is also prohibited in India in line with its obligations under
CITES, and the import and export of ivory are prohibited under the Foreign Trade Policy.Earlier, in Howrah, DRI officers, apprehended two persons and seized two idols of deities made of ivory,
which were suspected to have been smuggled into India from Bangladesh.
In another operation at Mysuru, Karnataka, DRI officers seized 4 kg elephant ivory and apprehended
three persons involved in its illegal trade before handing them over to the Forest Department for further
action.
On 7th-8th July, 2026, an interstate wildlife trafficking syndicate was busted at multiple locations across
Maharashtra and West Bengal. This was a first-of-its-kind of large joint operation conducted by the DRI,
Mumbai, and the CBI, Economic Offences Branch (EOB), Mumbai, with the support from the Wildlife
Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). During the operation, several wildlife species listed under Schedule I of
the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, namely, 15 Slow Lorises, 2 Binturongs, 28 Star Tortoises, 6 Egyptian
Vultures and 2 Shikra birds were recovered and rescued. The intelligence in the case was developed by
DRI and the matter is now being investigated by CBI. Six accused persons were apprehended and
subsequently arrested by the CBI.
In some other instances, DRI has successfully foiled multiple attempts to smuggle protected wildlife into
India through international airports by passengers arriving from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo. In
which species like Albino Red eared Turtle, Hypo zero Bearded Dragon, African spurred tortoise, Borneo
python, Green iguana, Mangrove monitor lizard, Argentine black and white tegu, Goeldi’s marmoset,
Yellow cheeked gibbon, Indonesian blue tongued skink, Siamang Gibbon, Woolley monkey, Silvery
lutung, Yellow belly Ball Python, Pastel ball python etc. have been seized and rescued.DRI’s coordinated operations in Bengaluru, Warangal, Pune, Surat, Chennai, Kolkata, Trichy, Madurai,
Srikakulam, Hojai (Assam), Rajasthan, Mysuru, and Howrah, have led to the seizure and recoveries of
wildlife products including, pangolin scales, leopard pelt, seahorse-based wildlife articles, Red sanders,
and protected species of Gibbons, lizards, tortoises, birds, squirrels, snakes, red sand boa etc.Several of these operations were executed in close coordination with partner enforcement agencies,
including the CBI, WCCB, Airport Intelligence Units of Customs at Bengaluru, Kolkata, Trichy and
Madurai, State Forest Departments, and local police authorities.
These sustained intelligence-led operations underscore DRI's commitment to combating organised wildlife
crime and disrupting transnational trafficking networks dealing in endangered fauna and flora. DRI
continues to strengthen India's obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), thereby contributing to the protection of the country's rich
biodiversity.
***
SR/KMN
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