Assam Police arrest two men and seize musk deer pods worth 158 grams near Guwahati

The Arrest

Assam Police arrested two men from Arunachal Pradesh and seized six musk deer pods during an operation near Guwahati on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The arrested individuals are 48-year-old Moga Doye from the Lower Siang district and 44-year-old Nokphua Wangsa from the Changlang district. Police intercepted the pair while they were transporting the pods, which had a total weight of 158 grams. A musk deer pod is a special scent gland found in the abdomen of male musk deer, producing a reddish-brown fluid that is used in traditional medicines and perfumes.

The Operation and Investigation

A special team consisting of the Special Operations Group and local police stopped the suspected wildlife trafficking attempt at Medhikuchi, located about 30 kilometres east of Guwahati. Early investigations indicate the pods were being moved out of Assam, pointing to illegal wildlife trade moving through the state. The musk deer belongs to the family Moschidae and is placed in CITES Appendix I, which protects animals at the highest risk of extinction from international trade. The animal also has strict legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Police have started legal action and are investigating further to find the exact source, destination, and species origin of the seized pods.