Mysuru: Foresters arrested five persons near ColumbiaAsia Hospital on Mysuru-Bengaluru gighway for illegally possessing a red sand boa snake on Thursday.
The accused — Hemanth, Barmegowda and Yogesh of Honnali in Davangere district and Ravi and Doddaiah from KR Nagar taluk in Mysuru district — were searching for prospective customers to sell the snake when they were arrested by the foresters attached to Forest Mobile Squad (Mysuru division). Five cellphones and a cab which was used for the crime have been seized from them.
During interrogation, the accused from Davangere revealed that recently they found the snake crossing the road in their village in Honnali, and thought of making money by catching and selling it. They knew that the snake would fetch a good amount in black market. The trio contacted their friend Ravi in KR Pet taluk, who offered to find them customers in Mysuru. The trio hired a cab and came to Mysuru to sell the reptile. Though they tried to strike a deal with three customers in exchange for about Rs 10 lakh, nothing came through. However, they were subsequently caught during a raid by the foresters, who acted on a tip-off.
Sand boa snakes are non-venomous and are in great demand and hugely trafficked. They are the costliest reptiles in the black market with price ranging from lakhs to crores. As per the myths surrounding this snake, possessing it will bring good luck and it is also widely used in black magic. The specie has been listed under Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).