The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/thane-rural-police-arrest-alleged-d-gang-leader-digvijay-pisal-three-associates-seize-firearms-23658625" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Thane Police in Maharashtra</a> have arrested five people and seized more than 500 mg of cobra venom, busting a suspected wildlife smuggling syndicate in the district, officials said on Thursday, reported the PTI.
The seizure was made following a tip-off received by the Crime Detection Unit, which laid a trap near Dodia Petrol Pump in the Kashigaon area on October 29.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mira Road Division) Ganpat Pingle said two glass vials containing approximately 250 mg and 260 mg of cobra venom were recovered from two suspects during the operation.
<h2>Three suspects apprehended during police operation</h2>
The police identified the two suspects as Mohammed Danish Fayim Khan (23) and Abdul Karim Rashid Ahmed Shaikh (51), according to the PTI.
A third suspect, Faizan Abdul Aziz (30), was also apprehended at the spot, the news agency reported.
Apart from the venom, the police seized a motorcycle and three mobile phones as part of the operation.
The seized cobra venom has an estimated <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/world-rhino-day-105-rhino-horns-destroyed-in-jaldapara-of-west-bengal-to-combat-wildlife-trafficking-23652147" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">market value of crores</a>, police said.
<h2>Investigation leads police to suppliers in Mumbai</h2>
During interrogation and subsequent technical investigation, the police identified two alleged suppliers believed to be linked to the suspected smuggling network, reported the PTI.
The two accused, identified as Faruk Ali Abdul Ali (37) and Noor Mohammed Wali Mohammed Shaikh (47), were traced to Trombay in Mumbai's Mankhurd area.
Both were subsequently arrested, taking the total number of arrests in the case to five.
<h2>Case registered under Wildlife Protection Act</h2>
The Kashigaon <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/mumbai-wildlife-trafficking-busted-police-seize-leopard-skin-from-tardeo-one-held-23644100" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">police have registered a case</a> against all five accused under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Further investigation is underway to establish the source of the seized cobra venom, the intended buyers and the extent of the alleged smuggling network.
<h2>Three held with chital skin, wildlife parts</h2>
Meanwhile, in an another incident, last month, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/maharashtra-wildlife-trafficking-three-arrested-in-thane-for-chital-skin-trafficking-wildlife-parts-and-car-seized-23652881" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Thane Crime Branch in Maharashtra</a> arrested three men for allegedly attempting to buy and sell chital skin and seized wildlife parts, mobile phones and a car.
Acting on information received by police constable Venkatesh Ghaygode on September 29, a Crime Branch team from Unit 1 laid a trap near Gamon Circle, close to Mama's Dhaba on the Mumbra-Thane road in Kalwa, police said.
During the operation, officers apprehended three men who were allegedly involved in the illegal purchase and sale of chital skin.
Police said they recovered chital skin. A car, mobile phones and other material allegedly linked to the offence were also seized.
(with PTI inputs)

Thane Police in Maharashtra have arrested five people and seized around 500 mg of cobra venom, busting a suspected wildlife smuggling syndicate, officials said

Maharashtra: Cobra venom in two glass vials seized in Thane, five arrested

Thane Police seize cobra venom worth Rs 5.2 crore, arrest five

Thane Police seized over 500 mg of cobra venom during raid in Kashigaon; investigation leds to two alleged suppliers in Mumbai's Trombay area, officials said

Cobra venom in two glass vials seized in Maharashtra's Thane, five arrested

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