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Himalayan Border Bust: Asia's Most Wanted Trafficker Nabbed
6 Dec
Summary
- International wildlife trafficker Yangchen Lachungpa arrested near China border.
- Arrest followed a covert operation using decoy teams and surveillance.
- Interpol Red Notice instrumental in capturing fugitive after years on run.
In a dramatic operation stretching across the Himalayan border, international wildlife trafficker Yangchen Lachungpa was apprehended in North Sikkim, near the Indo-China border. The arrest, a culmination of months of surveillance and intelligence gathering, was conducted in challenging sub-zero conditions by the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. Lachungpa, a fugitive under an Interpol Red Notice, allegedly attempted to destroy evidence including a coded diary.
The 43-year-old suspect, described as a crucial relay point in trafficking tiger parts, pangolin scales, and other contraband, was operating within a network spanning multiple countries. Her apprehension is considered a significant achievement, particularly as it was directly facilitated by an Interpol Red Notice issued just two months prior. This notice was sought due to her evasion of authorities since a wildlife crime case was registered in 2015.
Lachungpa has been placed under transit remand to Madhya Pradesh for further legal proceedings. Investigators are now analyzing recovered communication devices and the coded diary, which are expected to reveal more about the international buyers, poaching syndicates, and financial backers involved in the sophisticated trafficking chain. Her interrogation is anticipated to lead to further arrests and a deeper understanding of the network's operations.
