New Delhi : In a coordinated operation, the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force (MP STSF) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) have arrested Yangchen Lachungpa, an international wildlife offender wanted under an INTERPOL Red Notice. She was apprehended in Lachung, North Sikkim, following sustained intelligence gathering and ground-level action.
Significance of the Arrest
This is among the most notable wildlife crime arrests in India linked to an INTERPOL Red Notice. The notice was issued on October 2, 2025, after WCCB, acting as India’s INTERPOL Liaison Office, sought international assistance. The operation was supported by the Sikkim Police, Forest Department, Judiciary, District Administration, and SSB units in Sikkim and Siliguri, ensuring secure transit amid heightened public attention.
Legal Proceedings
After her arrest, Lachungpa was taken to Gangtok for medical examination and produced before court on December 3, 2025. Her bail plea was rejected, and she was placed under transit remand to Madhya Pradesh, where further proceedings will take place in Narmadapuram.
Background of the Case
- The case dates back to July 13, 2015, when the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department registered a wildlife crime in the Kamti Range of Satpura Tiger Reserve.
- Seized items included tiger bones, pangolin scales, tiger skin, and tiger bone oil extract.
- Another accused, Jai Tamang, arrested in 2015, confessed to supplying contraband to Lachungpa and revealed her role in sheltering traffickers.
- Out of 36 individuals charged, 27 were convicted in December 2022. Lachungpa, however, remained absconding.
Role in Trafficking Network
Investigations identified Lachungpa as a key link in an organised trafficking chain, connecting poachers and middlemen to cross-border smuggling routes spanning Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan, with operations across major Indian cities including Delhi, Siliguri, Gangtok, Kolkata, Kanpur, Itarsi, and Hoshangabad.
She was briefly arrested in 2017, but absconded after violating bail conditions, leading to a warrant in 2019. Her continued evasion prompted WCCB to seek an INTERPOL Red Notice through the CBI, which ultimately led to her capture in December 2025.
What’s Next
Authorities believe her arrest will provide critical insights into transnational wildlife trafficking networks, especially those involving tiger parts and pangolin scales. The case is expected to strengthen India’s fight against illegal wildlife trade and reinforce international cooperation.
