Pangolin Trafficker Nabbed in Bhubaneswar with Scales Worth Lakhs

(OT Webdesk)In a decisive crackdown on wildlife crime, Odisha’s Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch arrested a pangolin trader in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

The accused, Swabhiman Nayak from Gochhabada in Boudh district, was caught red-handed while attempting to sell a large quantity of pangolin scales, valued at several lakhs of rupees.

The arrest took place at the Master Canteen area, where STF officials intercepted the illegal transaction.

Nayak had allegedly transported the scales from Boudh to the capital city, intending to sell them on the black market.

Pangolins are protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, yet they remain one of the most trafficked mammals globally due to the false belief in the medicinal value of their scales.

This operation underscores Odisha’s intensified efforts to combat wildlife smuggling and protect endangered species.

Authorities have taken Nayak into custody and launched a deeper investigation to uncover the broader trafficking network.