Indian Agencies Foils Wildlife Trafficking Bid in Assam; Recovers Two Elephant Tusks

Acting on specific intelligence regarding the movement of elephant tusks, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted an attempted wildlife trafficking operation near Sonapur Toll Gate, approximately 27 km from Guwahati, on 5th November 2026.

In the evening (at around 1740 hours), DRI officers spotted five suspects on two 2-wheelers, one carrying a bag suspected to contain elephant tusks.

On being intercepted, the suspects attempted to flee, brandishing a Khukri and a Dao at the pursuing officers, before abandoning the bag and escaping into a nearby village.

The examination of the abandoned bag resulted in the recovery of two elephant tusks measuring 29 inches and 30 inches in length, with a combined weight of approximately 3.7 kg.

The recovered elephant tusks were seized under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and subsequently handed over to the Assam State Forest Department for further investigation and necessary action.  

The commercial trade of real elephant ivory is largely banned worldwide under international agreements and domestic laws, though an illegal black market and small-scale domestic trafficking continue to persist.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned the international commercial trade of elephant ivory in 1989.

In India, elephant tusks are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Indian law prohibits trade and commercial dealings in articles derived from such protected species. However, demand is often driven by small, intricately carved artefacts used in private collections or regional ceremonies.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is India’s apex intelligence and anti-smuggling agency, operating under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs in the Ministry of Finance.

The unit has been committed to combating wildlife trafficking and the illegal trade in protected species through intelligence-led enforcement and close coordination with sister agencies.