Weak WCCB mute spectator to cargo smuggling

Smuggling of live cargo through the Chennai airport seems to be on the rise as the WCCB is flooded with information. However, most of them go unverified as the agency has only three inspectors for the entire southern region. WCCB is depending on other agencies like Customs and Forest department to get inputs from informers regarding sale of tiger skins, pangolin skin and smuggling of sea cucumber verified. 

“It is true that we are overloaded with inputs from our informers regarding live cargo smuggling and other wildlife related crimes. However, we are unable to verify most of them due to shortage of inspectors and field staff. Most of the inputs remain untouched at our office,” a WCCB official told DT Next. 

According to officials, five gangs are operating out of Chennai in live cargo smuggling. These gangs are mainly smuggling start tortoises, turtles and several species of fish, which are of endangered variety and in the protected animals’ category. Similarly, gangs are engaged in pangolin skin smuggling and the animal has been hunted down for their skin across Tamil Nadu. 

“All the four southern states fall under our jurisdiction and we have informers in every forest and in the commercial areas. However, we can provide workable inputs to other agencies only when we verify them on the ground and identify the exact consignments, which is impossible with our current staff strength. Our weakness has become a blessing for the poachers and wildlife smuggling gangs,” the official admitted. 

When Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was established in May, 1994, its vision was to become an intelligence and enforcement agency, matching international standards, in the field of wildlife crime intelligence. WCCB still remains only an intelligence agency with poor manpower. Most of the  objectives of this important agency remain unachieved.