Thane
police seized five live sand boa snakes from a person selling them on
the roads in Thane on Friday. Each of the snake costs Rs 12 lakh. The
police claim that the snakes sell in crores in the international market.
“We have arrested 35-yearold Mohammad Shakeel Sheikh, a Kandivali resident, for illegally possessing these snakes. They are used for black magic or their venom is sold for its medicinal properties. Poaching of these snakes is common in international markets. We got a tip off that a person possessing five sand boas will be selling them on the road in front of the D Mart mall in Khewara Circle Thane (W) on Thursday,” said Prakash Gawane, senior police inspector of Wagale Estate Crime branch unit 5.
The police kept a watch on this area. At noon, they spotted the accused carrying a black bag around his shoulder. The police checked his bag and found five sand boas. The police called a snake lover in the locality and handed the snakes to him which will later be released in the wild once the investigation is complete.
“We have arrested 35-yearold Mohammad Shakeel Sheikh, a Kandivali resident, for illegally possessing these snakes. They are used for black magic or their venom is sold for its medicinal properties. Poaching of these snakes is common in international markets. We got a tip off that a person possessing five sand boas will be selling them on the road in front of the D Mart mall in Khewara Circle Thane (W) on Thursday,” said Prakash Gawane, senior police inspector of Wagale Estate Crime branch unit 5.
The police kept a watch on this area. At noon, they spotted the accused carrying a black bag around his shoulder. The police checked his bag and found five sand boas. The police called a snake lover in the locality and handed the snakes to him which will later be released in the wild once the investigation is complete.
“We have registered a case under section 39 ( 3) of the wildlife protection act 1972,” he added.
Sunish Kunju, a snake lover informed, “The head and tai of the snake look the same and thus they are passed off as snake with two heads by snake charmers and people who perform black magic.
“Snakes charmers make ‘eyes and a mouth’ by burning holes in their tails with a match stick and then they put hot wax in those holes and claim that they have two heads.”
Sunish Kunju, a snake lover informed, “The head and tai of the snake look the same and thus they are passed off as snake with two heads by snake charmers and people who perform black magic.
“Snakes charmers make ‘eyes and a mouth’ by burning holes in their tails with a match stick and then they put hot wax in those holes and claim that they have two heads.”
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