H.D. Kote: The Forest Department officials and staff have arrested a person who was trying to sell pangolin scales and have seized the scales of the endangered animal from him.

The arrested has been identified as Harish, a resident of Metikuppe tribal hamlet in the taluk and the Cops have seized 320 grams pangolin scales and a mobile phone from him.

Following information about a person attempting to sell pangolin scales near Agasanahundi Bus Stand on Moorkal Main Road, Kasaba hobli in the taluk, Special Tiger Protection Squad ACF N. Manjunath, RFO Ramanjaneyalu and staff raided the spot and arrested Harish besides seizing the pangolin scales and mobile phone from him.

Accused Harish was remanded to Judicial Custody and was later released on bail.

Deputy RFOs Vinod, Santosh Kamanore, Khaleem Pasha, Appanna Kambale, Jyothikumar, Vinayakumar and Rangers Mallikarjuna, M. Kavina, Suresh Poojari, Bola, Kala, Kalakalkar, Anand and others took part in the operation.