WildlifeCrime – Eight-Year Fugitive Reptile Smuggling Kingpin Arrested in Kanpur

WildlifeCrime – The Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force (MP STSF), working together with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), has arrested Tarak Nath Ghosh, an alleged mastermind behind a large reptile trafficking network. The suspect was taken into custody in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh after remaining on the run for nearly eight years.

Authorities said Ghosh had been wanted in connection with three cases related to the cross-border illegal trade of turtles and gharials registered in Madhya Pradesh. Courts had issued arrest warrants against him in all three cases while investigators continued to search for his whereabouts.

Long-Running Investigation Leads to Arrest

Officials involved in the operation described the arrest as a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on wildlife trafficking. According to investigators, Ghosh had managed to evade law enforcement for years despite being a key figure in multiple cases involving protected reptile species.

He is scheduled to be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday, March 9. Authorities plan to request police or forest custody to question him further and gather intelligence regarding the alleged trafficking network and its operations.

Network Spread Across Multiple Indian States

Investigators believe the smuggling network linked to Ghosh extended across several Indian states. Preliminary findings suggest connections in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and West Bengal.

Officials also suspect that the network may have had international connections, potentially linking illegal wildlife trade routes to countries including Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. These claims will be further examined as the investigation continues.

Earlier Train Operation Exposed Wildlife Trafficking Route

The arrest comes weeks after authorities dismantled a wildlife trafficking operation using railway routes. On February 3, a joint team of the MP STSF, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Forest Department intercepted a consignment of rare turtles on the Patna–Indore Express.

During the operation at Sant Hirdaram Nagar railway station, officers seized 311 live turtles from an attendant working in the AC First Class coach of the train. The animals were believed to be part of an illegal shipment moving from Uttar Pradesh to cities in Madhya Pradesh.

Larger Smuggling Network Uncovered

Further investigation into the train seizure revealed a wider network allegedly involved in illegal wildlife trade. Authorities identified links between traders, pet shop owners, transporters and other intermediaries suspected of participating in the trafficking chain.

In total, officials rescued 313 turtles belonging to four protected species along with two Rose-ringed parakeets during the series of raids conducted across several cities.

Law enforcement agencies also seized a motorcycle and seven mobile phones believed to contain evidence related to the trafficking activities.

Arrests Made in Multiple Cities

During the railway operation, investigators apprehended Ajay Singh Rajput, an AC First Class coach attendant, who was allegedly transporting the turtles. Authorities believe he was acting as a courier within the larger trafficking network.

Subsequent raids led to the arrest of several additional suspects believed to be involved in the illegal wildlife trade. Those detained were later produced before a court in Bhopal and subsequently sent to judicial custody.

Leads From Earlier Raid Helped Trace Kingpin

Sources familiar with the investigation said that intelligence gathered during the February raid helped investigators track the activities of the suspected kingpin.

Following multiple leads and surveillance efforts, authorities were able to locate and arrest Tarak Nath Ghosh in Kanpur. Officials expect that further interrogation may reveal additional details about the network, including routes used for transporting wildlife and individuals involved in the trade.

Wildlife enforcement agencies say the investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue efforts to dismantle organised wildlife trafficking networks operating within and beyond India.