Kolkata : Cracking down on alleged wildlife smuggler Syoradip Guha, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached a plot of land in Kolkata worth more than Rs 77 lakh.
The ED has said that the attachment was in connection with the money laundering probe against Guha.
“Guha is absconding and a look out circular has been issued for him”, said the ED.
“Accused Guha, a resident of Baguiati in Kolkata was involved in large scale illegal trade of wildlife in West Bengal since long,” the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a statement.
“During February, 2014 Customs had recovered and seized 3 chimpanzees, 4 marmosets and 278 precious birds of Indian and foreign origin from his premises,” it said.
“Investigation also revealed that the accused was running an organised racket dealing in illegal wildlife trade and the proceeds of crime so earned by him run into more than 3 crore,” it alleged.
According to the federal agency Guha had deposited “illegally earned money into eight bank accounts owned by him in his name, in the name of his family members and his firms”.
The ED has earlier attached the chimpanzees and marmosets worth Rs 81 lakh under Prevention of Money Laundering Act(PMLA) while taking over the probe on the basis of West Bengal police FIR.
