Four held for bid to sell white rhinoceros horns worth Rs 3 crore

New Delhi: Four people, including a businessman, were arrested for trying to sell two white rhinoceros horns valued at Rs 3 crore in the international market. The arrests were made after a constable posed as a decoy customer, successfully trapping the suspects. The accused were identified as Deepak Sharma (57), Suresh Kumar (57), Sant Ram (57) and Anil Kumar Sethi (60).According to additional commissioner of police (Crime) Sanjay Sain, police received a tip-off about the sale of the horns. Constable Naveen was deployed as a decoy customer, who, after negotiation, finalised the deal for Rs 1 crore. Subsequently, the team conducted a raid at a flat in F-Block, Lajpat Nagar, where the four individuals were found with the two rhinoceros horns.When asked, the suspects failed to provide any documents proving legal possession of the horns. Wildlife officers inspected the horns and confirmed they appeared to be from a rhinoceros. The horns were seized, and the four accused were taken into custody.During interrogation, Deepak revealed he inherited the horns from his grandfather and preserved them as antique and rare items. He claimed the horns were from a white rhinoceros native to African countries and were in his family's possession for 90 years.Deepak, a spare parts dealer for automobiles in Timarpur, stated he was facing financial difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, accumulating a debt of Rs 35-40 lakh. He decided to sell the horns, valued at over Rs 3 crore, to alleviate his financial struggles.Deepak contacted Suresh, an employee at an ashram in Uttam Nagar, to sell the horns for Rs 1 crore, offering him an incentive from the sale. Suresh then contacted Sant Ram, a sweeper in govt service, who was struggling with debt. Sant Ram subsequently contacted Anil, who was desperate for money to fund his daughter's wedding. Anil searched for potential buyers and eventually came into contact with a source who informed police. New Delhi: Four people, including a businessman, were arrested for trying to sell two white rhinoceros horns valued at Rs 3 crore in the international market. The arrests were made after a constable posed as a decoy customer, successfully trapping the suspects. The accused were identified as Deepak Sharma (57), Suresh Kumar (57), Sant Ram (57) and Anil Kumar Sethi (60).According to additional commissioner of police (Crime) Sanjay Sain, police received a tip-off about the sale of the horns. Constable Naveen was deployed as a decoy customer, who, after negotiation, finalised the deal for Rs 1 crore. Subsequently, the team conducted a raid at a flat in F-Block, Lajpat Nagar, where the four individuals were found with the two rhinoceros horns.When asked, the suspects failed to provide any documents proving legal possession of the horns. Wildlife officers inspected the horns and confirmed they appeared to be from a rhinoceros. The horns were seized, and the four accused were taken into custody.During interrogation, Deepak revealed he inherited the horns from his grandfather and preserved them as antique and rare items. He claimed the horns were from a white rhinoceros native to African countries and were in his family's possession for 90 years.Deepak, a spare parts dealer for automobiles in Timarpur, stated he was facing financial difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, accumulating a debt of Rs 35-40 lakh. He decided to sell the horns, valued at over Rs 3 crore, to alleviate his financial struggles.Deepak contacted Suresh, an employee at an ashram in Uttam Nagar, to sell the horns for Rs 1 crore, offering him an incentive from the sale. Suresh then contacted Sant Ram, a sweeper in govt service, who was struggling with debt. Sant Ram subsequently contacted Anil, who was desperate for money to fund his daughter's wedding. Anil searched for potential buyers and eventually came into contact with a source who informed police.