Special Correspondent
Pune: The Wanawadi police have arrested two individuals for illegally smuggling a Redson breed Sand Boa, commonly known as “Mandul,” with an estimated market value of ₹10 lakh.
The accused have been identified as Mohammed Kamran Abdul Karim (30) from Gulbarga, Karnataka, and Mithun Shettiba Manjule (30) from Vidyanagar, Latur.
Acting on a tip-off, the police set up a trap between Saibaba Mandir Chowk and Jagtap Chowk in Wanawadi. The suspects were spotted arriving at the location, one of them carrying a red and black bag. Upon searching, officers discovered a live Redson Sand Boa inside. The snake species is listed under Schedule 3 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, making its trade illegal.
Following the discovery, Police Sub-Inspector Dhanaji Tone seized the snake in the presence of a panch, and a case was registered under Sections 2(16), 9, and 44(1)(C) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The rescued snake has been handed over to the Director of the Wildlife Museum in Bavdhan for safekeeping.
The operation was successfully carried out by a team comprising PSI Dhanaji Tone, ASI Ramesh Sable, and constables Sarfaraz Deshmukh, Gopal Madane, Amol Gaikwad, Vishnu Sutar, and Sandeep Salve.
