₹14 crore Falcon haul: UP STF nabs accused in international smuggling network
Lucknow, October 31: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested an accused of a gang involved in smuggling of internationally protected wildlife. Seven falcons have been recovered from the accused’s possession, whose estimated value in the international market is said to be around Rs 14 crore. The STF arrested the accused from Iradat Nagar in Madiyanav area on Friday night.
According to the information given by the STF on Saturday, surveillance was being carried out on the instructions of the Additional Superintendent of Police, STF, to take action against the gangs involved in illegal smuggling of protected wildlife. Meanwhile, a team led by Sub-Inspector Faujuddin Siddiqui received information that a Mumbai resident had arrived in Lucknow with a consignment of banned wildlife. The Special Task Force (STF) conducted a joint operation with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Lucknow, and arrested him.
The arrested suspect was identified as Firoz Mursarat Khan, a resident of Mohammad Baksh Building, Byculla, Mumbai. Seven falcons, a mobile phone, and an Aadhaar card were recovered from him.
During interrogation, the suspect revealed that he runs a gang that smuggles protected and banned wildlife. The gang captures rare wildlife from the forests of Gorakhpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Sitapur and smuggles them internationally. It has also been revealed that these animals are being supplied to countries like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
According to the Special Task Force (STF), falcons are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. This category includes extremely rare and endangered wildlife species that receive the highest level of legal protection.
A case has been registered against the accused at the Madiyanv police station under case number 135/2026 under sections 9, 39, 49, 50, and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The local police are pursuing further legal action in the matter.
