Special Operations

You are here :Home
Operations and Seizures
Special Operations

Special Operations conducted by WCCB

Operation “SOFT GOLD” (1st Oct 2018 to 31st Mar 2019)

An operation to drag the attention of the enforcement agencies within the country to focus their attention towards the illegal wildlife trade in Tibetan antelope (Shahtoosh) species which are generally neglected while doing enforcement activities- “Operation Soft Gold” was envisaged and conducted by WCCB from 1st Oct 2018 to 31st Mar 2019. Under the operation, team of WCCB officials with Scientist from Wildlife Institute of India conducted awareness programmes along Indo-Nepal border and the exit points in order to bring awareness among various stake holders- weavers, traders, consumers as well as general public and the enforcement agencies towards curbing the menace of illegal wildlife trade in Tibetan antelope (Shahtoosh). Along with awareness programmes intelligence based operations were carried out with Customs and about 383 Shahtoosh Shawls have been detected in 12 export shipments at Delhi Airport.

Operation LESKNOW II (1^st September 2018 to 30^th September 2018)

The Bureau envisaged and coordinated another wildlife enforcement operation code named “Operation LESKNOW-II”. The Operation was intended to drag attention of the enforcement agencies within the country towards the illegal wildlife trade in lesser known species such as Deer, Wild Boar, Jackal, Mongoose, Monitor Lizard, Sea cucumber and Pangolin etc. The Operation brought about encouraging response from the state enforcement agencies The Bureau found overwhelming response from the State Enforcement agencies which is reflected in the amount of arrest and seizure that took place during the period of operation. During operation wildlife cases were registered in 12 States. A total of 30 cases of lesser known wildlife species were detected during one month period of the operation. The seized contraband includes 56130 Mongoose Hair Brushes along with 155 Kg Raw Mongoose Hair, 3MT Shark fins, 630 turtles, 600 Rose Ringed Parakeets, 345 SiyarSinghi (Jackal Claws) 127 Hatha Jodis (Monitor Lizard Hemipenis), 10 Tokay Geckos, 128 Sea Shells, 75 horse Conch, 20 Live corals, 50 Dead Corals, Sea Fan, Live Snake and Snake Skin, Live Endangered Fishes, Owl, Horned Helmet, Pineapple Shell, Deer Horn and Deer Skin, Fox parts, Bear Bone and Teeth were seized and 54 wildlife criminals were arrested. On 01.09.2018, 3 Metric Tonnes of Shark Fins were seized after a joint operation by WCCB and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence at Mumbai, Maharashtra. In a coordinated efforts of enforcement agencies, 600 live Rose Ringed Parakeets were seized from a bus at Bareilly, UP on 16.09.2018.

Based on the intelligence developed by WCCB, a joint operation was conducted by WCCB with UP Forest department at Sherkut, UP on 30.09.2018 in which 56130 Mongoose Hair Brushes along with 155 Kg Raw Mongoose Hair were seized from three different premises. Based on the linkages gathered from the interrogations of accused and analysis of documents in this seizure, a pan India operation against the shops selling Mongoose hair brushes was carried out on 10-12-2018 in which large no. of brushes were seized from various shops in 6 States

Note: The above operations not only resulted in large number of seizures and arrest and disruption of criminal networks especially of Turtles, Pangolins and Big Cats but also helped in increasing the rapport between various enforcement agencies which is helping in coordinated actions against the wildlife criminals across the countryand has resulted in decrease in the illegal wildlife trade.

Operation “THUNDERSTORM” ( 1^st May 2018 to 31^st May 2018)

In order to carry forward the successes of Operation Thunderbird and take on the illegal wildlife crime network, based on the recommendations of e 28^th Interpol wildlife crime working group meeting held in Singapore during October, 2017, INTERPOL coordinated enforcement operation code named “Operation THUNDERSTORM” was launched in which WCCB coordinated the country wide multi-species wildlife” operation during the period.

Based on intelligence inputs from WCCB and other enforcement agencies, the State/Central enforcement agencies conducted operations against illegal wildlife crime/criminals as a result of which 52 wildlife cases were registered in the 13 States of India and 98 wildlife criminals were apprehended involving seizures of parts/artifacts of big cats, pangolin, rhinoceros, elephant, blackbuck, turtle/tortoise, live birds, snakes, live animals and plants listed under the Schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

WCCB conducted capacity building/training programs for Forest/Police officials on collection of intelligence, investigation and prosecution of cases involving wildlife species and about the modus operandi in commission of such crime & routes involved in trafficking of wildlife contrabands. Apart from this, WCCB also conducted sensitization/awareness programs for officers from Judiciary, Border Guarding Forces, Railway Protection Force, Government Railway Police, Customs & Central Excise, CISF, Coast Guard, Students and members of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

In the final report published by INTERPOL on “Operation Thunderstorm”, WCCB was particularly appreciated for its sensitization and capacity building programs conducted during the operation.

Operation “BIRBIL” ( 1^st Nov 2017 to 30^th Nov 2017)

The operation started on 1^st of November, 2017 and terminated on 30^th November, 2017.The Enforcement agencies were requested to collect intelligence pertaining to the illegal trade in all Birds and cat species and conduct enforcement operations apart from gathering information on modus operandi in poaching, concealment techniques, transporting and smuggling etc. They were also requested to collect information on criminals and networks involved in illegal trade of various birds and cat species and bust the networks. The Bureau found overwhelming response from the State Enforcement agencies in which cases were registered in 7 States. A total of 23 cases were detected during the one month period of the operation. 14 cases were registered involving big cats and rest 9 cases involved seizure of bird species in which different species such as 35 Little Egrets, 35 Common Teals, 14 Rose Ringed Parakeets, 15 Munias and other 11 bird species were seized. The agencies displayed best of their efforts in intelligence gathering and detection of cases. Good coordinated efforts between various enforcement agencies within and out of the states was also seen during the operation. In a secret joint operation carried by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Eastern Region and Northern Range, Panibharal, Kaziranga National Park at BiswanathChariali area 3 offenders were apprehended and 3 bags were recovered from their possession, the bags found to contain a skin & bones (267 nos.) and teeth (24 nos.) of Royal Bengal Tiger separately.

Operation "LESKNOW" (1^st Aug 2017 to 31^st Aug 2017)

The Bureau coordinated a wildlife enforcement operation code named “Operation LESKNOW”. The Operation was intended to drag attention of the enforcement agencies within the country to focus their attention towards the illegal wildlife trade in lesser known species. The operation started on 1^st of August, 2017 and terminated on 31^stAugust, 2017. The Enforcement agencies were requested to collect intelligence pertaining on the illegal trade in lesser known species and conduct enforcement operations apart from gathering information on modus operandi in poaching, concealment techniques, transporting and smuggling etc. They were also requested to collect information on criminals and networks involved in illegal trade of various lesser known species and bust the networks. After the operation it was also requested to share good practices followed in various states with the Bureau so as to share with other state authorities to improve the investigation and intelligence gathering skills of field officials and to generate awareness among the general mass towards the menace of wildlife crime and urge the support of the people towards demand reduction.

The Operation brought about encouraging response from the state enforcement agencies which is reflected in the amount of arrest and seizure that took place during the period of operation.

After the operation 26 criminal profiles of the accused arrested during the operation has been prepared and kept on record of WCCB so that the same could be used in future for investigation of cases. A total of 6 capacity building training programme were conducted by the Bureau in which 324 Police and Forest Officials were trained. In these programme special emphasis was given on modus operandi, concealment technique, trade routes and networks of criminals indulging in illegal trade of lesser known species. 46 sensitization programs were conducted by the Bureau in which 2612 officials of Judiciary, BGFs, RPF, GRP, Coast Guard, Customs & Central Excise, Coastal Police and students have been sensitized regarding lesser known species and its illegal trade.

Operation "WILDNET" (1^st May 2017 to 30^th June 2017)

To encounter the menace of the illegal trade through e-commerce platform, WCCB organized and coordinated an enforcement operation named “Operation WILDNET” to drag the attention of the enforcement agencies within the country to focus their attention on the ever increasing illegal wildlife trade over internet using Social Media Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Wechat etc. apart from various online classified sites and trade portals, websites and Blog Spots. The operation started from 1st of May 2017 and continued till 30th June, 2017. During the “Operation Wildnet” illegal offers made on online e-commerce platforms were detected by WCCB by surfing the internet and the information was passed to field agencies for conducting operations. Based on the information the perpetrators were booked under relevant provisions of the wildlife protection act by various State agencies.

To discuss issues related to online wildlife trading and reach a consensus on sharing of information that would help in curbing as well as taking legal action against the offenders, 2 meetings were convened on 19th May, 2016 and on 07th Nov, 2017 to bring various online trade platforms/portals (OLX India, QUIKR, Amazon Sellers Services Pvt. Ltd., IndiaMart, Snapdeal) Wildlife Crime Control Bureau asked the representatives to provide information available with them to WCCB to enable it in detecting offenders posting illegal wildlife articles online to curb this menace. They were requested if they could share the IP address, Contact address and other such details that are available with them which would enable WCCB to locate the suspect posting such offers. It was also suggested that once these portals track a seller trying to post any wildlife article for sale, they should provide WCCB with the details of such seller so that WCCB can get then tracked and initiate action to apprehend them.

Operation "THUNDERBIRD" (30^th Jan 2017 to 19^th Feb 2017)

WCCB requested enforcement agencies to concentrate mainly on illegal trade in species such as Tigers and other Asian big cats, Bears, Pangolins, Reptiles, Red Sanders, Sea-cucumber and sea horses. All operational phase activities took place between 30 January and 19 February 2017. Enforcement operations, such as searches and visits, of previously identified targets were carried out on targeted areas including docks, airports, railway stations, pet shops, antique stores, pet fairs and markets, warehouses and known places of illegal activities. Much of these activities resulted in seizures, apprehensions and general information collection. Mobilization of police in the poll bound states gave added advantage in carrying out general searches of vehicles and suspects in these states. WCCB BHQ collected reports of various operations carried out during the period through its regional offices as well as directly from State enforcement agencies. The Regional Deputy Directors of WCCB did their best to collect information and weekly reports of operations were prepared and forwarded to INTERPOL through NCB-India on weekly basis for three weeks. Finally, additional capacity building initiatives were also conducted throughout Operation Thunderbird incorporating training for officers on the handling of wildlife seizures and general wildlife protection in their areas.

Operation "SAVE KURMA" (15^th Dec 2016 to 30^th Jan 2017)

Considering the commercial exploitation of the turtles and tortoises as well as the extent of involvement of illegal wildlife traders in the illegal trade of live specimens WCCB envisaged a species specific operation code named “OPERATION SAVE KURMA” to focus specifically on the major states involved in the poaching, transportation and illegal trade of live turtles and tortoises. The operation was scheduled from 15^th of December, 2016 to 31^st December, 2016 involving 10 States (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and West Bengal). Looking at the response from the State Enforcement authorities the time span of the operation was extended till 30^th January, 2017 to be continued as part of INTERPOL’s Operation “THUNDER BIRD”. During the operation illegal online offers for trade of live turtles were also monitored and a case was developed by WCCB and in coordination with the Rajasthan Forest Department a case was registered on 15^th of December, 2016 in which one person offering 3 live turtles was arrested. To encourage participation of the enforcement agencies from the designated states the Additional Director, WCCB made a presentation on the scenario of the illegal live turtle trade from Uttar Pradesh on 09.12.2016 before the senior officers of Uttar Pradesh in which the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh was requested to initiate action on the targeted areas of Uttar Pradesh. Meetings were also held under the chairmanship of PCCFs/CWLWs of the states in which apart from other wildlife issues this issue was stressed upon so that specific focus could be made on live turtle trade syndicates.

Based on the presentation made by the Additional Director, WCCB in Uttar Pradesh and the request made to the ADGP, Crime, West Bengal encouraging responses in detection of cases specifically of live turtles has been noticed from these states where in huge cache of live turtles have been rescued and released back to its natural habitat. The seizure of more than 15912 Nos. of live turtles is considered to be one of the largest seizure of live turtles in any continued operation with in the South Asian Countries with more than 55 suspects arrested in the operation. Investigation is underway to nab the entire nexus of the illegal trade operatives from various states and their cross border connections.

The efforts to detect and seize turtles/tortoises continued after the operation period and 42 cases were detected in various parts by police/forest authorities resulting in the seizures of 6656 species of turtles/tortoises during 2017 and 51 cases detected in 2018 with seizures of 9028 species turtles / tortoises and 473.53 Kg. turtle calipee.

Efforts of the WCCB during Operation Save Kurma” were recognized by CITES Secretariat by awarding a Secretary-General’s Certificate of Commendation during the 69th meeting of the Standing Committee of CITES at Geneva Switzerland on 30-11-2017.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS