By Trend News Line 2024-05-26 01:49:10.
Dismissal from Service
A police constable attached to the Tamil Nadu special police battalion, S Ravikumar, has been dismissed from service for his alleged involvement in a multicrore international exotic species smuggling racket recently uncovered by Chennai Customs authorities. Ravikumar, aged 41 and holding the rank of havildar number 4938 in the TSP VI battalion in Madurai, faced the termination of his employment on May 11, according to a senior police official.
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Alleged Smuggling Activities
Investigations suggest that Ravikumar may have made more than 10 trips to foreign countries, including Malaysia and Thailand, over the past three years. Authorities estimate the value of wildlife species smuggled in by him in recent times to be around Rs 5 crore. Among the exotic animals suspected to have been smuggled into the country are marmoset monkeys, red-tailed guenon monkeys, Tegu lizards, ball pythons, and Fennec foxes.
Arrest and Previous Incidents
Ravikumar was apprehended by customs officials outside Chennai international airport on April 12 after allegedly receiving a consignment of 484 red-eared slider turtles and nine African spurred tortoises from a passenger arriving from Bangkok. Further scrutiny revealed that Ravikumar became involved in the smuggling racket while operating an aquarium in Kolathur under his wife’s name. He failed to seek approval from his superiors for his foreign trips, as required by service regulations.
Past Legal Troubles
This is not the first time Ravikumar has faced legal issues related to wildlife crimes. He was previously arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Special Enforcement Bureau for the illegal possession, transportation, and trading of Indian star tortoises in the Venkatagiri forest range near Tirupati in 2022. At that time, he served with the TSP’s III battalion in Veerapuram and received two suspension orders. The central agency has alerted Tamil Nadu police to Ravikumar’s alleged involvement in the wildlife smuggling network, with Chennai airport being singled out as a global hub for such illicit activities.
Current Legal Proceedings
Despite being out on bail, Ravikumar remains under investigation by Customs and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) for his suspected role in the smuggling operation. The case against him continues to unfold as authorities delve deeper into the complexities of the international exotic species trade.
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With his dismissal from service and the legal repercussions he faces, Ravikumar’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of engaging in illegal activities, especially those involving the exploitation of endangered wildlife species. It also sheds light on the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat the illicit wildlife trade and protect vulnerable animal populations from exploitation..
Tamil Nadu cop dismissed role in international wildlife trafficking racket, Tamil Nadu cop dismissed for involvement in wildlife trafficking racket.
