The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a wildlife trafficking syndicate allegedly involved in the illicit trade of ivory artefacts and seized 54 intricately carved items in Lucknow, as reported by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Wednesday.
DRI officers planned an operation in Lucknow and intercepted four people who are allegedly linked to the syndicate. The operation led to the recovery of 54 artefacts made from ivory.
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According to the department, the seized items include animal figurines of bulls, elephants and dogs, along with human figurines depicting a warrior and a mother holding her child. Other recovered items include scissors, combs, an agarbatti stand and a sindoor dani.
The agency said the artefacts were exquisitely crafted and finely detailed, with potentially substantial commercial and antique value.
The seized ivory artefacts, along with the four members of the alleged syndicate, were handed over to the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department for further investigation.
👉 DRI busts a wildlife trafficking syndicate involved in illicit trade of ivory artefacts
— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) August 19, 2026
👉 54 exquisitely crafted artefacts made of ivory seized, four arrested
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/ygajlpVUFL#DRIAtWork pic.twitter.com/cBWkaIDrDD
What The Law Says About Ivory Trade In India
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibits trade and commerce in elephant ivory and articles manufactured from it.
The restrictions are also linked to India's international obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The latest seizure is part of a series of operations carried out by the DRI against the illegal wildlife trade in recent months.
DRI's Recent Ivory Seizures
In July, the DRI carried out two separate operations in which it seized 11 kg of elephant ivory tusks in Sujangarh, Rajasthan, and two intricately designed ivory idols of deities in Howrah, Kolkata.
Earlier, in May, the agency busted a wildlife trafficking syndicate in Mysuru, Karnataka, and seized 4 kg of elephant tusks.
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The DRI said the series of operations highlights the growing threat posed by illegal wildlife trafficking and its efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in the trade.
The agency also said the operations underline its commitment to protecting India's biodiversity and enforcing the national laws and the country's international obligations under CITES.
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