ED files money laundering case against 8 men for smuggling sand boa serpent

PRAYAGRAJ, Feb 28 (HS): Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a case of money laundering on Sunday against eight people, who were arrested by police on February 16 under Mauaima police station of Prayagraj for smuggling a sand boa serpent, an endangered species for sale in the city at Rs 5 lakh. Sources revealed that the serpent can fetch Rs. 40-45 lakh in international market.

“We are investigating where the men procured the snake from and who they planned to sell it to,” the ED officer said, who spoke to HS.

“The red sand boa, which is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, is sold illegally on a large scale as there is a thriving superstition that the snake, which appears to have two heads, has medicinal properties. Certain body parts of the snakes are also believed to bring luck when used in rituals. We are also investigating whether the snake was to be flown by the buyer to South East Asia where demand for the reptiles is high. With intensive questioning, we hope to unravel the entire smuggling nexus behind this shocking episode,” he added.

ED officiald suspect that the snakes were trapped by the gang to be smuggled abroad, where they fetch huge amounts for their skins and venom. Snakes are in great demand in China, Thailand and several Gulf countries, where they are sold for lakhs of rupees.

The arrested men have been identified as Brajlal, Rajnish, Pradeep, Rajendra and Radheyshyam, resident of Prayagraj, Babbu resident of Badohi, Rahul and Premchand resident of Jaunpur and Ballia respectively. Two cars, country made pistols, ten mobiles and Rs. 70,000 cash were also recovered from their possession.

Mauaima police had received information that seven people are arriving in two cars with a rare kind of sand boa snake for sale in the city. A trap was set near an open ground where the two were expected. Forest official was called for assistance and the reptile was seized from the arrested man’s possession. The police said the duo was waiting for a buyer to hand over the snake to. “The accused had struck a deal with a buyer for Rs 5 lakh. We arrested the men before the buyer could reach the spot to make the exchange,” said a police officer.

 “Upon inspection of the vehicle, a white bag was found. In the bag was a black coloured serpent around three feet long and 2 kg weight. Upon questioning accused revealed that they intended to sell the sand boa for Rs 5, 00, 000. A case under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 was registered at Mauaima police station.