Three caught selling 15 red sand boas in Narmada

Vadodara: The forest department on Friday rescued 15 red sand boas from the possession of three men from Narmada district who were trying to sell the endangered reptiles.
The trio was arrested when they tried to sell to one of the decoy customers sent by the forest department.
The department, with the help of Vadodara Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Animal Welfare Board of India, was conducting the operation to trap the wildlife smugglers.
“We had received a tip-off about the accused being in possession of red sand boas. They used to contact prospective customers and promise them to sell the snake anywhere between Rs 40 and Rs 50 lakh. They used to broker the deal and accept some amount in advance,” said Jatin Vyas, an animal activist, adding that the group would vanish after accepting the advance.
“Through the decoy customer we learnt that the accused have duped around eight people in a similar fashion and took lakhs of rupees,” Vyas added.
The accused trio has been identified as Narendra Vasava, Atul Vasava and Faiyaz from Dediapada taluka. They were lured out of their village by the decoy customer on Friday.
The accused caught the boas from the forests of Dediapada. In July this year, the forest department in Vadodara had nabbed five persons trying to sell a red sand boa for Rs 42 lakh.