Forest officials seize endangered snake, arrest two in Siliguri

Forest officials arrested two people for smuggling the endangered 'Red Sand Boa' snake in Siliguri,West Bengal.

Acting on a tip-off, the team from Baikunthapur Forest Division reached the site of trade and busted the operation and also seized the snake, said Divisional Forest Officer, Dharamdev Rai, on Monday.

Two out of four people managed to escape the spot and the officials have approached the court for an arrest warrant.

Rai did not rule out the possibility of cross-border trade of the snake to neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bhutan, but said that it could not be confirmed without further inquiry.

The 'Red Sand Boa' is found in dry, semi-desert scrub plains and rocky dry foothills and appears to have mouths on both its ends. It is a non-poisonous, harmless snake.

It is believed that the snake brings good luck, one of the major reasons for its smuggling.

The investigation is on in the case.