Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Police arrested five smugglers from Lonar, Buldhana, who were attempting to sell a rare Sand Boa snake for Rs 10 lakh, allegedly for black magic rituals.
The Crime Branch team, acting on a tip-off, nabbed the suspects at Cambridge Chowk on Wednesday around 11:30 PM. The accused Ramabhau Ambhore (42), Santosh Kokate (21), Raju Ingole (40), Ravindra Kalsare (26), and Kanhaiyalal Janwa (24) were carrying the four-kilogram snake in a bag filled with soil.
PI Sandeep Gurme had received intelligence on the smuggling attempt. Under the guidance of Assistant Inspector Vinayak Shelke and Vishal Bodkhe, a police team chased the smugglers’ speeding vehicle and intercepted them near the airport. A case has been registered at MIDC Cidco police station, and the snake has been handed over to the forest department.
WhatsApp evidence raises suspicion
The suspects’ mobile phones contained videos and photos of Sand Boa snakes, which were shared with potential buyers via WhatsApp. Police suspect they have been involved in illegal wildlife trade for years.