In a series of intelligence-driven pan-India operations against illegal wildlife trafficking, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 440 endangered/protected wild life animals and about 15 kg in ivory articles and elephant ivory in coordinated operations across country; and arrested 33 persons involved in wildlife trafficking.

Earlier, in Howrah, DRI officers, apprehended two persons and seized two idols of deities made of ivory, which were suspected to have been smuggled into India from Bangladesh.

In another operation at Mysuru, Karnataka, DRI officers seized 4 kg elephant ivory and apprehended three persons involved in its illegal trade before handing them over to the Forest Department for further action.

On 7^th-8^th July, 2026, an interstate wildlife trafficking syndicate was busted at multiple locations across Maharashtra and West Bengal. This was a first-of-its-kind of large joint operation conducted by the DRI, Mumbai, and the CBI, Economic Offences Branch (EOB), Mumbai, with the support from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). During the operation, several wildlife species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, namely, 15 Slow Lorises, 2 Binturongs, 28 Star Tortoises, 6 Egyptian Vultures and 2 Shikra birds were recovered and rescued. The intelligence in the case was developed by DRI and the matter is now being investigated by CBI.  Six accused persons were apprehended and subsequently arrested by the CBI.

On 10.07.26, officers of DRI intercepted persons engaged in the illegal trade of elephant ivory near Sujangarh, Rajasthan. The operation resulted in the recovery and seizure of about 11 kg elephant ivory. Four persons were apprehended and, were handed over to the Forest Department along with the seized ivory, for further action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits trade in elephants and their derivatives. Commercial trade in ivory is also prohibited in India in line with its obligations under CITES, and the import and export of ivory are prohibited under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Several of these operations were executed in close coordination with partner enforcement agencies, including the CBI, WCCB, Airport Intelligence Units of Customs at Bengaluru, Kolkata, Trichy and Madurai, State Forest Departments, and local police authorities.

These sustained intelligence-led operations underscore DRI’s commitment to combating organised wildlife crime and disrupting transnational trafficking networks dealing in endangered fauna and flora.  DRI continues to strengthen India’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), thereby contributing to the protection of the country’s rich biodiversity.