Guwahati, May 2: In a major breakthrough against cross-border wildlife trafficking, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel under the Guwahati Frontier apprehended two smugglers with 202 sand boas near the Indo-Bangladesh international border in Assam’s Dhubri district.
Acting on a tip-off, troops of the 66 Battalion BSF launched a special operation on Thursday in a border area of Dhubri. During the raid, they intercepted two individuals attempting to smuggle a large consignment of sand boas—non-venomous snakes belonging to the boa family—concealed in sacks. The snakes were reportedly being transported from India to Bangladesh.
Sand boas, known for their burrowing behaviour and distinctive “double-headed” appearance, are not native to Assam or the Northeast. These snakes are typically found in dry, sandy regions of North India, such as Rajasthan, and parts of Africa and Asia. Their illegal trade is often linked to superstitions and high demand in black markets abroad.
The seized reptiles and the arrested smugglers were handed over to the Forest Department in Dhubri for further legal action.
They have been produced in the court, which remanded them to 14-day judicial custody on Friday.
This incident highlights the growing threat of illegal wildlife trade in border regions and the critical role of security forces in stopping it.
