Cracking a case of illegal wildlife trade, Hubbali Crime Investigation Branch (CCIB) police recovered ivory tusks, horns, nails and pelts of animals in a house in Shettigalli in Belagavi city on Tuesday, reported The Times of India.
The police acted on a tip-off and recovered the items that are worth crores in the international market.
A man named Saleem Chamadewale who was involved in the smuggling racket, was arrested by the police. He reportedly said that he stored these items at a house near his residence. In an attempt to prevent people from coming near the house, he spread rumours that the house was haunted, reported The Times of India.
Chamadewale would enter the house at night and park goods carriers next to the main door of the house.
A police team led by ACP Shankar Marihal raided the house.
According to ToI, the recovered items include two pair of ivory tusks, skins of tiger, lion, deer and leopard, deer horns, pangolin scales and nails of tigers and lions.
Police said that Chamadewale used to export these items to China, Vietnam and Gulf countries via Goa, reportedThe New Indian Express.
Police added that some members of Chamadewale’s family were involved in vehicle theft cases as well and they have also been taken into custody.