Interpol issues red corner notice against wildlife smuggler

The Interpol has issued a red corner notice against an international wildlife smuggler Jaiy Tamang (42) alias Passang Limi on request of the Madhya Pradesh Forest department.
"Probably it is first instance in which a red corner notice has recently been issued by the Interpol in the case registered by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department in connection with a wildlife crime," an official of the forest department said.
In September 2014, pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) poaching came to light in Balaghat and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh.
MP Forest Department constituted a special task force (STF) with officer in-charge Ritesh Sarothiya, who also is the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) to probe the matter.

Following this, the STF arrested Jaiy for allegedly hunting rare wild animal pangolins and tigers besides illegally trading their parts in October 2015 from Delhi, Sarothiya told PTI today.
Jaiy was brought to Hoshangabad district where he had been booked and remanded in custody. But, he got bail in November 2015 and since then has gone underground, Sarothiya added.

Jaiy, allegedly involved in smuggling of Pangolin and Tiger's parts at interstate and international level, moved the Madhya Pradesh High Court on February 2016 for bail but his plea was rejected, the ACF added.
Since then the STF was probing connections of the accused and raids were conducted continuously, he said, adding that they have learnt that Jaiy originally hails from Tibet but was running his operation from a neighbouring country.

Considering Jaiy's operation at international level, Interpol's help was taken in the matter and red corner has been issued some two or three days ago, Sarothiya said.
He said the accused had been charged under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act.
As per the officer, Indian pangolin is a critical endangered species and its scales are in great demand in China and South East Asia.
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Scales of Indian pangolin fetches huge price in the
international market as it is used as an aphrodisiac, said another official.
Interpol is an International police organisation having it's headquarters in Lyon city of France.

Interpol issues 7 different kinds of notices as per the demand of the crime investigation agencies like Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, Green, Orange and Purple Corner notices.
A Red Corner notice is issued to seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action.
The official claimed that Sarothiya is the first Indian to receive this international award for wild life protection.