The crackdown was launched by the Special Task Force (STF) in response to a tip-off on the pangolin deal which was about to take place in the forest.
During the raid, one Dilip Nayak of Badsol village was taken into custody for possessing the live pangolin. However, the prospective purchaser of the animal managed to escape ahead of the raid.
The market value of the rescued pangolin is estimated to be around Rs 15 lakh.
Dilip’s interrogation is underway to ascertain his link with any wildlife smuggling racket, informed Rajkishore Paikray, Deogarh SP.
