Cops seize 1,650 kg banned catfish; pond owner arrested in Gadwal

Gadwal: The Gadwal taskforce police along with the Fisheries Department raided various ponds and lakes in Rylampad and Khammampadu villages of Dharur mandal of Gadwal district and seized 1,650 kilograms of banned Catfish worth Rs 1.24 lakh from the owners of fishing ponds and lakes in the district.

Based on a tip-off and a complaint lodged with the Fisheries department, the Gadwal police constituted a special task force team to conduct raids against all those who were illegally carrying out catfish farming in the district.

"Earlier we were given a tip-off about rearing of catfish in Khammampadu village of Dharur mandal, based on that information we formed a taskforce team and conducted raids, however to our surprise we also stumbled upon another lake with similar catfish rearing activity in Rylampad village. We have seized 1,650 kg catfish and buried them in the ground," In-charge SP of Gadwal district Apoorva Rao said.

The Dharur police sub inspector took cognisance of the case after the Fisheries Department Assistant Director Rupender Singh filed a complaint against accused Yelias of Dharur mandal who was involved in the illegal catfish rearing.