Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached three chimpanzees and four marmosets as part of a money-laundering probe against an animal smuggler from West Bengal.  Central ncy, which probes serious money laundering crimes, said first-of-its-kind attachment under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) "enabled" zoo authorities in Kolkata to retain animals as smuggler was making attempts to take m away. An attachment by Enforcement Directorate (ED) renders an asset out of bounds for its owner and it can be furr confiscated by ncy after judicating Authority of PMLA, a quasi-judicial body, approves attachment within 180 days.

Re First time: ED attaches chimpanzees, marmosets under PMLA

Illegal possession of wild animals 

three chimpanzees have become a major point of attraction for visitors of Alipore zoological garden in Kolkata and hence, a source of revenue too, ncy said. According to m, all seven animals are valued at Rs 81 lakh, with each chimpanzee worth Rs 25 lakh and a marmoset, a species of small long-tailed South American monkeys, about Rs 1.5 lakh. case pertains to West Bengal government's complaint against alleged smuggler Suprip Guha for "illegal possession" of wild animals.  state police h booked Guha for "forgery and using forged documents as genuine as he was found using a forged permission letter to illegally transport wildlife birds purportedly issued by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, WildLife and Chief Wildlife Warden, West Bengal." case has been registered under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Re: DK Shivakumar can cause loss of evidence if released on bail: ED

Re: DK Shivakumar in ED remand till Monday, explosive allegations in court

wildlife smuggling racket

According to ED probe, Guha was running an organised wildlife smuggling racket. He is a clever criminal and recorded contrictory statements before customs authorities and wildlife authorities to eve action from both departments, it alleged.  Guha also obtained fake certificates regarding birth of three chimpanzees in India, ED furr ded. "This attachment has enabled zoo authorities to keep animals with m. action by ED will deter dealers against indulging in illegal tre of animals and wildlife," it said. 

Re: Photo of chimpanzee hugging a human is t from Amazon fire