Balasore: In a major crackdown, forest personnel have rescued as many as 26 cobras and arrested three persons including a woman on charges of illicit trade of the venomous snakes in Baliapal tehsil of Balasore district here today. The identities of the accused are yet to be disclosed.

As per reports, the raid was carried out at Panchupali in Baliapal block with joint efforts of the Forest department and Snake Helpline. Preliminary investigation indicated that the reptiles were collected from various parts of the State and were being smuggled to different places after extracting their venom.

Addressing mediapersons, Snake Helpline general secretary Subhendu Mallik said they received reliable tip-off about the smuggling of cobras and immediately left Bhubaneswar at around 3 am. They reached Balasore at 5 am and along with forest officials of Panchupali range, carried out the raid. "We rescued 26 cobras which were being taken in specially designed plastic containers. We suspect there are many others involved in his racket. Investigation is underway," he stated.