LUCKNOW: In a major crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Lucknow, in coordination with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, has seized 54 intricately carved artefacts suspected to be made of elephant ivory, with the collection believed to have a value running into crores of rupees in the illegal trade market.Four persons have been arrested in connection with the seizure.The operation was launched by the DRI on the basis of specific intelligence regarding the suspected illegal trade and movement of ivory articles.Acting on the inputs, DRI officers conducted a targeted operation in Lucknow and intercepted four persons suspected to be part of a wildlife trafficking network.The operation resulted in the recovery of 54 exquisitely crafted artefacts, which were prima facie found to be made of ivory.The seized collection included a variety of intricately carved objects, reflecting considerable craftsmanship. Among the recovered articles were figurines of bulls, elephants and dogs, besides human figures depicting a warrior and a mother holding her child.The seizure also included items such as scissors, combs, an agarbatti stand and a sindoor dani, officials said.Officials said the suspected ivory artefacts could command a very high price in illegal markets, with their combined value being assessed at crores of rupees. However, the exact valuation and authenticity of the material will be determined as part of the investigation and scientific examination.Following the DRI operation, the 54 seized artefacts and all four apprehended persons were handed over to the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department for further legal action.The Forest Department’s Kukrail team immediately took the articles into formal custody and initiated proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.The seized material was secured, sealed and preserved in accordance with prescribed procedures to ensure that the chain of evidence remained intact.Forest officials said the articles would undergo scientific examination to establish whether they are indeed made of elephant ivory and to determine their composition and origin.The investigation will now focus on establishing the source, ownership and possession of the artefacts, besides tracing their transportation and the manner in which they entered the suspected illegal trade chain.Investigators are also examining whether the four arrested persons were directly involved in procurement, storage, transportation or sale of the wildlife articles and whether other members of the network are operating elsewhere.The seizure assumes significance as trade and commerce in elephant ivory and articles manufactured from it are prohibited under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.The prohibition is also linked to India’s international obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.The Forest Department has initiated further legal proceedings against all four accused under the applicable provisions of the wildlife protection law.Officials said the investigation would not be limited to the seized articles and would seek to uncover the broader procurement and distribution network behind the suspected ivory trade.The entire operation was conducted under the supervision of Dr Renu Singh, APCCF, Lucknow Zone and DFO Lucknow Sitanshu Pandey.Officials said the Kukrail team worked intensively after the DRI handed over the accused and seized material and completed the necessary legal procedures within a short period, resulting in all four accused being lodged in jail.The latest seizure is part of a series of recent DRI operations targeting illegal ivory trafficking. In July, DRI teams had seized 11 kg of elephant ivory tusks in Rajasthan and two intricately designed ivory idols in Howrah, West Bengal, while an operation in Mysuru in May had resulted in the seizure of about 4 kg of elephant tusks.Further investigation is underway to establish the precise value, authenticity and origin of the 54 artefacts and to identify the complete network involved in their procurement, possession, transportation and suspected illegal trade.
