Chikkamagaluru, May 12 -- In a major wildlife crime crackdown, the Crime Investigation Department Forest Mobile Squad police have arrested five persons for allegedly attempting to sell a rare two-headed red sand boa snake, estimated to be worth over Rs 1 crore in the illegal wildlife market.

The accused were caught during a raid conducted at Vajpayee Layout in Chikkamagaluru city following credible information about the illegal transaction. Forest officials said the suspects were trying to strike a deal for the highly protected reptile when the team intercepted them.

The arrested accused have been identified as Vamsikrishna and Arif Basha from Andhra Pradesh, along with Yatheesh, Shafi and another Arif Basha from Karnataka's Shivamogga ...