Chembur police arrested four men from a hotel room on April 22 while they were attempting to illegally trade elephant ivory. The accused are Akash Ashok Awhad, 28; Sandeep Randhir Bidlani, 33; Shashank Chandrashekhar Ranjankar, 38; and Dinesh Rammanohar Agnivanshi, 40. The operation was led by PSI Girish Malve under DCP Sameer Shaikh, Zone 6, and Senior Police Inspector Rajesh Kewale of Chembur police station.

Tip-off trail

The crime detection team received specific intelligence through informants that a group was looking to sell elephant tusks in Chembur. One informant contacted Bidlani, posing as a buyer. He confirmed he had tusks and agreed to a deal at Taj Lodging and Boarding on RC Marg.