Five arrested with elephant tusks in Keralam’s Wayanad

In a major bust, Forest department officials seized two full elephant tusks and a piece of tusk and arrested five people during a raid at a homestay at sixth mile near Chethalayam in Wayanad on Tuesday (September 22, 2026).

The raid was conducted by the Kalpetta Forest Vigilance Range and officials of the Kurichiyad Forest Range under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, based on intelligence about the sale of elephant tusks. A vehicle was also seized.

The arrested are Jithu, 27, Rajesh, 34, Balan, 55, Abhilash, 45, and Shebin Francis, 32, all from Wayanad. Officials said the seized tusks weighed around two kilograms, though their exact weight is yet to be ascertained.

N. Roopesh, assistant wildlife warden, Kurichiyad range, said the investigation was progressing, and more arrests were likely.