Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a Mumbai resident from Lucknow's Madeyganj area and recovered seven falcons of a rare species from him. The STF has estimated the birds' value in the international market at about Rs 14 crore.
The accused has been identified as Firoz Musarrat Khan, a resident of Mumbai, Maharashtra. The STF said the action has exposed the network of an interstate gang involved in wildlife smuggling. According to the STF, the gang used to capture protected birds from forests in Uttar Pradesh and supply them to the international market.
STF Acts on Secret Information
The STF had for some time been receiving information about a gang active in the illegal trafficking of protected wildlife. Officials then instructed various teams to gather intelligence and act against the smugglers.
The STF's Lucknow team, under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police Avaneeshwar Chandra Srivastava, was keeping watch on the network. During this period, a team led by Sub-Inspector Faizuddin Siddiqui received information that a man from Mumbai was about to arrive in Lucknow with birds of a banned species.
Taking the information seriously, the STF contacted the Lucknow team of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and prepared to act jointly.
Accused Caught in Iradat Nagar
On the evening of 30 October, at around 7.30pm, the STF and WCCB team carried out the operation near a house in the Iradat Nagar locality, under Madeyganj police station limits. Firoz Musarrat Khan of Mumbai was arrested from there.
During the search, seven falcons, a mobile phone and an Aadhaar card were recovered from him. According to the STF, the recovered falcons fall in the protected wildlife category. Their value in the international market has been estimated at about Rs 14 crore.
Accused Allegedly Describes Network From UP Forests to Abroad
During questioning, the accused allegedly said he has a gang that smuggles banned and protected birds and other wildlife. According to information released by the STF, gang members collected these birds from forests in Gorakhpur, Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur. The birds were then sent to the international market via Mumbai.
The accused has also allegedly said that birds were supplied to Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
What the Law Says on Schedule I Wildlife
Species listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, enjoy the highest level of legal protection. The law provides for strict action against illegal hunting, capture, possession and trade involving such wildlife.
Smuggling of protected falcon species is a serious crime from the wildlife conservation point of view. The law provides for punishment and fine for those found guilty in such cases.
Case Registered at Madeyganj Police Station
The STF has got a case registered against the accused at Madeyganj police station under case crime number 135/2026. Action has been taken against him under Sections 9, 39, 49, 50 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Further legal action in the case will be taken by the local police.