In a major breakthrough for India’s wildlife law-enforcement agencies, the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force (MP STSF), in close coordination with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), has arrested Ms. Yangchen Lachungpa, a notorious international wildlife trafficker wanted under an INTERPOL Red Notice.
She was apprehended on 2 December 2025 from Lachung in North Sikkim, marking one of the rare instances in India where a wildlife criminal was captured following the issuance of a Red Notice.
Her arrest represents a decisive step in dismantling a vast transnational trafficking network involved in smuggling tiger body parts, pangolin scales, and other endangered species derivatives across India, Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan.
Background of the International Wildlife Trafficker Arrest Plan
The investigation traces back to 13 July 2015, when the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department filed a major wildlife crime case in the Kamti Range of Satpura Tiger Reserve, Hoshangabad (now Narmadapuram).
The case involved a large consignment of illegal wildlife products, including:
- Four pieces of tiger bones
- 1.5 kg pangolin scales
- Tiger skin
- Tiger bone oil extract
Another accused in the same case, Jai Tamang, arrested in October 2015, disclosed that Ms. Lachungpa was a key figure linking poachers with middlemen and international buyers. She allegedly stored contraband in her shelter and facilitated its transport to organised smuggling channels.
Her involvement extended to multiple Indian cities including Delhi, Siliguri, Gangtok, Kolkata, Kanpur, Itarsi, and Hoshangabad, forming part of a wider cross-border network.
A History of Evasion and Absconding
Ms. Lachungpa was briefly arrested in September 2017 by the MP Tiger Strike Force. However, she violated her bail conditions and absconded, forcing authorities to issue a new arrest warrant on 29 July 2019.
Her prolonged evasion and continued engagement in wildlife smuggling activities prompted WCCB to approach INTERPOL for international cooperation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL, handled proceedings related to the Red Notice request.
On 2 October 2025, INTERPOL issued a ‘Red Notice for Prosecution’ against her, categorizing her as a fugitive wanted for serious wildlife offenses. This crucial development paved the way for intensified surveillance and coordinated intelligence efforts, ultimately resulting in her December 2025 arrest.
The Arrest Operation in Sikkim
The joint team from MP STSF and WCCB, backed by:
- Sikkim Police
- Forest Department
- Judiciary and District Administration
- SSB units in Sikkim and Siliguri
It conducted a meticulously planned raid in Lachung. The operation unfolded in a high-pressure environment, amplified by strong public sentiment against wildlife crime.
Following her arrest, Ms. Lachungpa was transported to Gangtok for medical examination and later produced before the local court on 3 December 2025. Her bail plea was rejected, and she was granted transit remand to Madhya Pradesh, where further judicial proceedings will be held.
Importance of International Wildlife Trafficker Arrest
Ms. Lachungpa is considered a critical link in the global illegal wildlife trade. Her role allegedly included:
- Coordinating procurement of endangered species parts
- Financing poaching activities
- Facilitating smuggling routes across Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan
- Supplying high-value contraband like tiger parts and pangolin scales
Her capture is expected to provide major insights into:
- Backward linkages (poachers, suppliers, middlemen)
- Forward linkages (international buyers, trafficking syndicates)
Officials believe this could help dismantle one of the largest cross-border wildlife trafficking networks operating in the Himalayan belt.
Government’s Stand on Wildlife Crime
The arrest underscores India’s strengthened efforts to combat wildlife trafficking through:
- Inter-state and international coordination
- Intelligence-driven operations
- Judicial collaboration
- Use of INTERPOL mechanisms for global offenders
The success of this operation reinforces India’s commitment to protecting endangered species and curbing the lucrative illegal wildlife trade that threatens biodiversity and fuels organised crime.
