ALAPPUZHA: Two people, including an Air Force officer, have been arrested for selling western blind snake (Iruthalamoori). The Air Force officer, Abhilash Kushan (34), a native of Vandanam, and his assistant, Harikrishnan (32), a native of Valiyazheekkal, Arattupuzha, were arrested. After receiving a tip-off, the forest officials had come to the spot on the pretext of buying a western blind snake and strategically caught the two.

Ranni Range Forest Officer BR Jayan, who is the investigating officer, said that Abhilash is linked to a wildlife smuggling racket. Abhilash had sold the snake he bought from a native of Tamil Nadu to another person for Rs 7 lakh. Upon learning of this, the forest officials contacted Abhilash over the phone. They convinced Abhilash by promising to pay more money. They then booked a room in a private hotel in Mullakkal, Alappuzha, to conduct business. A team led by Karikkulam Forest Station Deputy Range Officer Robin Martin, along with the Ranni Flying Squad, reached the hotel and arrested the accused.

The blind snake weighed three kilos and was 135 centimetres long. The forest guards announced that it would be released in the forest. The accused were produced in court and remanded. Section Forest Officers F. Yesudas, S. Shinil, P. Senjith, and BFOs K. Anoop, Appukuttan, Ammu Udayan, and S. Ajmal were part of the raid.