Gandhinagar: In a rare case, Chiloda police have seized two ivory tusks from a Mumbai-based passenger during vehicle checking at Chandrala Naka on the Himmatnagar–Chiloda stretch of National Highway 48, exposing an alleged ivory smuggling attempt.

The accused, Yash Gopalbhai Vora (32), originally hailing from Rajasthan, was travelling in a Dhanalakshmi Travels bus when police intercepted the vehicle and checked passengers’ belongings. The tusks, estimated to be worth around ₹1 lakh, were recovered from his possession.

Police have handed over the case to the forest department for further investigation, as offences related to wildlife and ivory trade fall under its jurisdiction.

Officials said such seizures are rare in the area, where checks typically lead to the recovery of contraband like liquor or weapons. Preliminary findings suggest the ivory may be old, but its origin and intended destination are yet to be established.

The forest department is now probing where the accused sourced the ivory and to whom it was meant to be delivered. The probe will also involve forensic analysis of the ivory tusks.

In India, the trade, purchase, and possession of ivory are strictly prohibited under wildlife protection laws, and violations are treated as serious offences. DeshGujarat