Snake venom worth Rs 1.5 crore seized in Odisha; two held

Deogarh: Riamal Police of Deogarh district seized snake venom worth Rs 1.5 crore and arrested two persons in this connection in Sambalpur district.

The two accused persons have been identified as Kailash Sahoo, a resident of Sindurpank area, and Ranjan Kumar Padhi of Sakhipada village in Sambalpur district.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of Riamal Police reached Tarang village on Friday afternoon while the deal for the venom was underway. Instead of apprehending the accused duo on the spot, the team led by Riamal Police SI Maguni Gadnayak followed the snake venom vendors and later arrested them at Sindurpank area in Sambalpur.

The police initiated investigation following arrest of two snake venom dealers.

The preliminary investigation suggested that the venom whose market value is estimated at Rs 1.5 crore, was brought for sale in Deogarh district, police source informed today.