Two arrested while trying to sell snake venom

NEW DELHI - Two men have been arrested while they were allegedly trying to sell 285 grams of cobra venom - valued at over Rs.20 lakh in the international market, police said Monday.

Anil Jain, 65, a mechanical engineer, and Mudhasuvaker Rao, 56 were apprehended in north Delhi’s Kewal Park following a tip off, Deputy Commissioner of Police (northwest) N.S. Bundela said.

“We arrested them following investigations into an input about their involvement in illegal wildlife trade. We came to know that they were coming to Kewal Park area to sell King Cobra venom,” he said.

Two plastic bottles containing 285 grams of the venom were recovered and a case under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 was registered against them.

During interrogation, the two told the police that they were supplied the venom by Harish.

“Efforts are on to get hold of Harish who is absconding now,” Bundela added.