Forest officials in north Bengal seized large quantity of snake venom and arrested six persons who are believed to be part of an international smuggling racket.
“We have recovered from them venom in three large flasks, while one contains liquid venom of cola colour, others contain processed venom in white crystalline form and other in yellow granular form,” P. T. Bhutia, Divisional Forest Officer, Baikunthpur Forest Division told The Hindu .
According to local forest officials, while the six arrested are Indian nationals they had slipped from Bangladesh in north Bengal and were headed towards Bhutan.
It is not clear from where they procured the venom but they were arrested at Belakoba forest range in Jalpaiguri district. The six persons were intercepted when they were travelling on motor-cycles and carrying the flasks in school bags.
Mr Bhutia said that the exact worth of the venom has not been calculated. However, those arrested have said that their price in international market will run in several crore rupees. Forest officials said that such a large quantity has not been recovered in the region in recent past.
The arrested have been remanded in judicial custody.
