SHILLONG: Though Meghalaya is not a hot spot for poachers to kill for elephant ivory’s tusks, the state is however, considered as a gateway for ivory smugglers to illicitly trade with international countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar and Burma.
Shullai also informed that sharing an international border with Bangladesh, Meghalaya is an active spot of ivory smuggling, the same which were being smuggled from Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland to countries like Burma and Bangladesh.
“As a matter of fact, the entire NE region is considered as a transit point for smuggling of any materials, be it ivory or red sanders which are being smuggled off to Japan and sold at a very expensive price,” the CCF Wildlife said.
When asked whether arrests have been made in this regard, Shullai said the Wildlife Crime Bureau had made several arrests in the past few years. He, however, refused to divulge any further information.
“There was a case during the late 90s when ivory smugglers were arrested by the customs in Meghalaya smuggling approx 12 kilos of ivory worth lakhs of rupees,” he informed.