KOCHI: The ten persons arrested by the forest department in connection with the trade of ivory have been sent to judicial custody till July 25 on Monday.
The accused persons were produced before Kothamangalam judidical first class magistrate court – II and sent to Muvattupuzha sub jail. While seven accused were produced before magistrate on Sunday, remaining three persons were produced on Monday.
Forest officials said that the 10 accused were primarily sales agents of ivory and the poachers were yet to be traced. They said that department got clues about the poachers, and they would be nabbed soon. The poaching gang led by Aikkaramattom Vasu, Eldos and Suku are absconding following the arrest of the agents. Officials said that forest department had decided to issue lookout circular against the three persons.
The racket was bust with the arrest of the main accused including Aji, Vijayan, Anil, Romin Alva and Antony Alva, who were nabbed by forest flying squad from Thiruvanathapuram.
Officials said that custody of the accused would be sought for a detailed probe into the racket, which was believed to have poached several elephants in Athirappilly, Vazhachal and Idamalayar forests. So far, forest department has arrested 14 persons in connection with the poaching and seized about 50 kg of ivory.
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