Koraput: Forest officials seized 352 pangolin scales weighing around 2 kg and arrested six people for alleged possession and trading in wildlife body parts during a joint operation in Malkangiri district on Sunday.Officials said acting on a tip-off about illegal poaching and trafficking of pangolin scales, teams from the Malkangiri and Mathili forest ranges conducted a joint operation on the Padmarigiri-Pandripani road under Malkangiri range. Three motor vehicles allegedly used in the illegal trade were also seized.The accused were allegedly carrying the pangolin scales for illegal trade, forest officials said. A wildlife offence case has been registered against them under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022. “Malkangiri forest division is committed to protecting wildlife and will take strict action against those involved in illegal poaching, possession and trafficking of wildlife products,” said Malkangiri DFO Sai Kiran DN.Pangolins are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and are targeted by poachers for their scales, which are illegally traded. “Investigation is underway to trace the source of the seized scales and identify others involved in the wildlife trafficking network,” the DFO said.