Officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Hyderabad zonal unit, recovered seized two live Indian Red Sand Boa snakes and apprehended a person during an operation in Warangal on Sunday (May 17, 2026) after receiving information about alleged illegal wildlife trade.

Officials said specific intelligence inputs indicated that a person was attempting to sell live snakes in the grey market in Warangal.

Based on the information, the DRI conducted an undercover decoy operation on May 17 and intercepted the suspect at the identified location. During the search, officials recovered two live Indian Red Sand Boa snakes, scientifically known as Eryx johnii, from a bag carried by the suspect.

The species is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits its possession and trade. Following the seizure, the snakes, packing material and the apprehended person were handed over to the Forest Range Officer, Warangal Range, for further action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

The Forest officials were expected to continue the investigation to ascertain whether the accused was part of a wider illegal wildlife trafficking network.