Varanasi: Two people, allegedly involved in illegal wildlife trade, were arrested here with tiger skins, police said Saturday.
The accused, identified as Sartaj and Dilip, both in their mid-40s, were nabbed Friday from Bhelupur locality following a joint operation by district police and forest officials.
"Three tiger skins were recovered from the duo's possession. Acting on a tip-off, we intercepted the two men while they were on their way to hand over the skins to some of their clients," police inspector RM Yadav told reporters Saturday in Varanasi, some 300-km from Lucknow.
"We are yet to ascertain where the tigers were killed. According to the two men, their gang members in the state's Lakhimpur district had handed over the hides to them for selling," he added.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two have been involved in the trade of wild animal skins, antlers and other body parts for the last over five years.
"The two are natives of Uttar Pradesh. We are trying to nab other members of their gang based on the information provided by the two men," added Yadav.
IANS
First Published: Saturday, June 11, 2011, 12:04