Mumbai: 28 lakh peacock tail feathers seized at Nhava Sheva Port

The feathers seized by the DRI

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Tuesday got hold of approximately 28 lakh peacock tail feathers worth Rs 2.01 crore at Nhava Sheva Port, one of the largest such seizures in recent history. The feathers were being smuggled from India to China via concealment and misdeclaration in export cargo falsely declared as "doormat made up of coir".

According to DRI sources, the exporter apprehended by the agency is considered the primary perpetrator, and further investigations are ongoing to uncover the suspected extensive smuggling network.

"The domestic possession of peacock feathers is permitted in India; however, it becomes illegal when exported. The question is how such a large quantity of stock was sent to China and where it was sourced from," stated an officer of the DRI.

Officials are probing whether the syndicate responsible for the export of peacock feathers is also engaged in the unlawful killing or hunting of the national bird of India, a violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

A similar case was reported in 2021 when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case following the discovery of a stash of 21 lakh peacock feathers in Delhi's Tughlakabad. In that instance, the DRI also traced the origins of the smuggling attempt to Delhi.