Two Bhutanese men from Bhangtar in Samdrupjongkhar were produced before the  Jalpaiguri court in West Bengal on April 20, for an alleged wildlife smuggling case.

Kuensel learnt that the forest officials in Baikunthapur district of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal had arrested the duo on April 19.

Officials had confiscated an eight feet long leopard skin, including 150 bones of endangered species, and a skull of an unidentified animal from their vehicle on April 19 night, West Bengal media reports disclosed.

The reports also said that the duo was intercepted near Oodlabari rail gate area after a long chase. The vehicle with registration number BP 2A 1668 had the leopard skin and bones hidden in a sack.

Forest officials commented in the media the items were being smuggled to Nepal via Siliguri. Meanwhile, officials are investigating if there were any involvement of Indian people.

Rajesh Rai, Phuentsholing

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