According to CID, Bevendra, Sanatham and Sudhakar were apprehended, while they were trying to sell snake skin, tiger pelt and ivory to customers from North India. Ganesh, their accomplice is absconding. The tribals were from the Asodi Farm colony in Shimoga district.According to K S N Chikkerur, Additional Director General of Police (Forest) the operation to nab the gang was in place for the past two months with a CID inspector posing as a buyer in constant touch with the gang members.
Finally, earlier this month, they were trapped while they tried to sell some snake skin and pass off a dog skin as tiger skin.
“The dog skin was painted in the tiger skin colour and was being sold to our personnel who was undercover,” the officer said. The skin of four Sand Boa, a bike and a car was recovered from the arrested.
Published 22 May 2011, 18:17 IST