Delhi Police bust illegal trade of white rhinoceros horns worth ₹3 cr, 4 arrested

The Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested four individuals on January 9 for their involvement in the illegal trade of two white rhinoceros horns, valued at ₹3 crore in the international market. Acting on a tip-off, the police conducted a raid in Lajpat Nagar where the horns were found in the possession of the suspects. A decoy customer had previously finalized a deal for ₹1 crore, prompting the authorities to intercept the transaction. The arrested individuals are Deepak Sharma (57), a resident of Lajpat Nagar, Suresh Kumar (57), Sant Ram (57), and Anil Kumar Sethi (60), all residents of Uttam Nagar.

The two horns, which were examined by wildlife experts, were confirmed to be from a white rhinoceros, a species native to Africa and classified as endangered. The horns are highly sought after in the international market due to their rarity. Upon interrogation, the accused could not provide any documentation to prove the legal ownership or possession of the horns, leading to their arrest under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The investigation revealed that Deepak Sharma had inherited the horns from his grandfather nearly 90 years ago. Sharma’s family had preserved the horns as rare antiques, and they had been passed down through generations. However, financial difficulties, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted Sharma to consider selling them. Knowing their value, he approached Suresh Kumar, a Mahant from Uttam Nagar, to sell the horns for ₹1 crore. Kumar subsequently contacted Sant Ram, a government employee, who then reached out to Anil Kumar Sethi, a private worker, to finalize the transaction.

The police investigation indicates that the individuals involved were facing significant financial distress. Suresh Kumar, for instance, needed funds for construction work at an ashram, while Sant Ram and Anil Kumar were also burdened by personal debts. The group reportedly saw the sale of the horns as an opportunity to resolve their financial issues.

The authorities have registered a case under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, which prohibits the illegal possession, sale, and trade of endangered species and their products. The seized horns have been taken into police custody, and further investigation is ongoing. The police are working to identify any other individuals involved in the illegal trade of wildlife products, particularly in relation to this specific international trafficking network.