Major Wildlife Trafficking Bust: DRI Seizes Leopard Skins, Ivory in Ujjain Raid

 In a decisive strike against illegal wildlife trafficking, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Nagpur unit—operating under the Mumbai Zonal Unit—conducted a successful operation in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the seizure of two leopard skins with heads and a wild boar ivory (horn). The raid was carried out in the early hours of May 4, following actionable intelligence.

Acting on specific inputs, DRI officers intercepted two individuals at a hotel in Ujjain, where the suspects were allegedly attempting to negotiate a deal involving banned wildlife products. The recovery of the contraband items—classified under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972—marks a significant enforcement success. Species listed under Schedule I, including leopards, receive the highest level of legal protection in India, with any trade, possession, or commercial transaction deemed a serious criminal offence.

Following protocol, the apprehended individuals and seized materials were handed over to the District Forest Division in Ujjain for further investigation and legal action. Forest authorities have since initiated a detailed inquiry aimed at tracing the broader supply chain and identifying potential poaching networks linked to the case.

This is not the first major wildlife crime interception by the Nagpur DRI. In January 2025, the same unit successfully seized another leopard skin in Maharashtra’s Akola district, leading to the arrest of three individuals. These sustained efforts reflect DRI’s intensified focus on disrupting the illegal wildlife trade through a targeted, intelligence-driven approach.

Wildlife trafficking remains a critical threat to India’s ecological balance and biodiversity. The country’s unique and endangered species continue to be at risk from sophisticated poaching and smuggling networks that operate both domestically and across borders.

The latest operation sends a strong deterrent message to wildlife traffickers and reinforces India’s ongoing commitment to conserving its natural heritage. As enforcement agencies continue to ramp up surveillance and interdiction efforts, collaborative actions such as this underscore the importance of intelligence-led policing in combating environmental crime.