Kolhapur police seize Russell’s Viper, 3 held

The police have foiled an attempt to smuggle a venomous Russell’s Viper also known as Ghonus after detaining three youths near Satara. 

The suspects were identified as Dinesh Gajanan Pandit (21), Vaibhav Vilas Khavale (18), Nishant Vijay Kirtikudav (19), all residents of Kodoli in Phaltan.

The Russell’s Viper is one of the most poisonous snakes and its venom has high demand in the pharmaceutical industry.

Phaltan’s deputy superintendent of police Vinayak Chavan received a tip-off regarding the smuggling of the snake from the forests of the Sahyadri mountain range.

The police arranged a trap near Shivraj petrol pump and found three youths moving around in a suspicious manner. On searching them, the police recovered a full-grown Russell’s Viper in a glass jar covered with a gunny bag. The snake weighed around 2kg. Forest officers are aiding the police in the probe. 

Chavan told DNA that legal advice is being sought and the inquiry is being conducted in this matter.