India, April 13 -- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Mumbai zonal unit has dismantled an inter-state illegal wildlife trafficking syndicate involved in the illegal trade of Indian pangolin scales, seizing 16.52 kg of scales and detaining three accused.

The operation was conducted by teams from the Mumbai and Nagpur units at Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh on Sunday based on tip offs. The accused were allegedly planning to trade the scales when the DRI team intercepted them, said DRI officials.

The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which gives it the highest degree of legal protection. Referred to as scaly anteater, the Indian pangolin is native to the Indian subc...