Hyderabad DRI officials nab two for illegal possession, trade of corals

Accused found with dead black corals, soft corals at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh; supplier based out of Ongole in neighbouring State also held

Hyderabad: Acting on specific intelligence, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Hyderabad Zonal Unit, nabbed two persons involved in the illegal possession and trading of dead black corals and dead soft corals at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh on December 30.

The officials seized around 9.812 kg of dead black corals (scientific name: Antipatharia, local name: Indrajaal), 0.286 kg of dead soft corals (scientific name: Alcyonacea, local name: Mahendrajaal) and six trapezium horse conches (scientific name: Pleuroploca Trapezium) from them.

---

According to the officials, it was revealed that the supplier of the wildlife articles was based out of Ongole, a coastal town in Andhra Pradesh.

In a swift followup action, a team of officers from the Vijayawada Regional Unit of DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit nabbed the supplier as well and seized dead black corals weighing 6.64 kg.

Black and soft corals are listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and are thereby provided the highest degree of protection. Trapezium horse conch is listed in Schedule-II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.