A man was taken into custody in Nittambuwa after wildlife officers intercepted his attempt to sell a casket crafted from elephant tusks and sandalwood.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation states that the arrest was made during a sudden raid on June 3, following information received by officials at the Horagolla National Park. 

The suspect was found in possession of the casket intended for sale and is to be produced before the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court along with the seized item.

The Wildlife Department states that the possession, display, transport, or sale of items made from protected animals or timber is strictly prohibited under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.

The Department added that wildlife officers continue to carry out raids to curb illegal activities threatening endangered species and plants. (Newswire)

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Three suspects were arrested on Monday (05 Jan) in Mawanella with two elephant tusks that were to be sold for Rs. 20 million, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Air Force intelligence officers, together with wildlife officials, had closely monitored the suspects and arrested them near the Mawanella Muslim mosque, based on a tip-off.

After the arrest, the suspects and the tusks were taken to the Kurunegala Assistant Director’s Office, and they were produced before the Aranayake Tourist Magistrate Court in the Mawanella jurisdiction yesterday (06 Jan).

The Magistrate ordered the suspects to be released on bail of Rs. 400,000 each, and the case was fixed for February 03.

This raid was carried out under the instructions of the Assistant Directors of Wildlife in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala, with participation from officers of the Anuradhapura Assistant Director’s Office, the Kukulkatuwa Beat Office, and the Ritigala Reserve Office, along with Air Force officers from Meerigama and members of the Special Task Force. (Newswire)

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