Daijiworld Media Network - Rajkot

Rajkot, Oct 26: In a major wildlife crime crackdown, the Rajkot Special Operations Group (SOG) has dismantled a gang involved in the illegal sale of endangered pangolins worth Rs 22 crore. The group was allegedly smuggling the rare species from the Gir forest area and attempting to sell them in major cities across India.

Acting on a tip-off, SOG officers arrested three suspects, including the alleged mastermind Bijal alias Vijay Jeeva Solanki. Investigations revealed that one of the accused had valued the pangolin at Rs 25 lac, while Solanki was seeking an exorbitant Rs 22 crore from potential buyers.

The rescued pangolin — a Schedule I protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act — was handed over to the Forest Department. Officials, including

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