Three held for illegally possessing red sand boa

India: Three men have been arrested for illegally possessing a red sand boa at Balkum on Monday.

 The crime branch unit-1 had received a tip-off that three men would be coming to Balkum to sell the snake. The cops then laid a trap and arrested the accused.

 "We had stationed our officers near the autorickshaw stand at Blakum naka. As soon as the accused arrived, we arrested them. The accused have been identified as Sandeep Bodke (24), Shivaji Aaher(27) and Kailas Patil (50). The snake was brought from Nasik and was being transported in a plastic bag. We suspect that either Bodke or Aaher must have caught the snake. This specie is used largely for black magic," said an officer from the crime branch unit-1.

 The trio have been booked under various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. "We are trying to find out as to whom the accused were going to sell off the snake to," added the officer.

(Source: The Times of India)