GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DIRECTORATE OF REVENUE INTELLIGENCE
KOLKATA ZONAL UNIT
8, Ho Chi-Minh Sarani, Kolkata- 700071
Telephone: - (033)-2282 3321, Fax: - (033)-2282 4465

Press release

SEIZURE OF 650 KG. OF PANGOLIN SCALES VALUED AT RS. 3.26 CRORE.

Acting on a specific intelligence, the DRI officers of Kolkata Zonal Unit visited Kolkata Airport on 19.11.2010 and identified/detained five (5) packets which were likely to be delivered at Imphal via jet airways flight from Kolkata for illegally exporting out the same through Moreh border. On examination of the said detained five packets on 22.11.2010 it was found that those packets contained Pangolin Scales wrapped in HDPE sacks, as identified by the officer of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. Total 138.60 kgs. of Pangolin Scales valued at Rs. 70.00 lakh were recovered from those 5 packets and seized under the Customs Act, 1962.

On development of further intelligence the DRI officers of Kolkata Zonal Unit again visited the Kolkata Airport on 26.11.2010 and examined another 17 packets and recovered 511.65 kgs of Pangolin Scales totally valued at Rs. 2.56 Crore. The Pangolin being a highly endangered species listed under Schedule I of CITES export of the same and its body parts is prohibited in the EXIM policy of the Govt. of India. Therefore, the aforesaid goods were seized under section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962 on reason to belief that these prohibited items were attempted to be exported out of India illegally. Further investigation is in progress.

Sd/
(R.K.RAMAN)
JOINT DIRECTOR