Seven held for smuggling red sand boa in Mancherial

On being interrogated, the accused confessed to committing the crime to make a fast buck

Mancherial: Seven persons were arrested for allegedly smuggling a red sand boa, locally known as two-headed snake, from Maharashtra to Telangana at Chintalapelli village in Chennur mandal on Wednesday. A snake, car and motorcycle were seized from their possession.

Chennur Forest Range Officer Shiva Kumar said that Sudarshan, and Prabhakar from Maharashtra, Danunjay of Sarwaipet, Santosh, a resident of Kollur, Prabhakar, Rajagopal belonging to Borampalli, Thirupathi belonging to Chennur and Pochireddy from Srirampur were apprehended while carrying the snake, following a tip-off.

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On being interrogated, Sudarshan and Prabhakar confessed to committing the crime by forming a gang to make a fast buck with the help of five others. They admitted to catching the snake in the forests of Koppela village in Sironcha Taluq of neighbouring Maharashtra. They revealed that they were planning to sell it to some potential buyers in Chennur.

Forest officials said that certain persons were indulging in trading the snakes for a huge price considering the superstitious belief that people can easily become millionaires if they can keep the reptile. They clarified that the public falsely believed the faith. They advised the people not to believe in such beliefs.