Five arrested for smuggling elephant tusks in Salem

Five persons were arrested on charges of smuggling elephant tusks in Salem district on Thursday (January 2, 2025) evening.

Acting on a tip-off that a gang was smuggling elephant tusks, the Forest department officials monitored the Elaraimathikadu locality near Kolathur and and caught one person allegedly part of the said gang. Through him, the officials nabbed four more of his associates.

The accused are: C. Palani, 40, a resident of Govindapadi; V. Selvakumar, 40, a resident of Thalaivasal; R. Perumal, 50, a resident of Kurumbanur; C. Ondiappan, 59, a resident of Elaraimathikadu; and T. Arunachalam, 46, a resident of Vazhapadi.

The police seized four elephant tusks weighing seven kilograms, a car, and two bikes used for smuggling. Investigations revealed these tusks were cut off dead elephants 20 years ago in Mettur forest.