The sleuths of Criminal Investigation Department (Forest Cell) have arrested four persons in connection with the elephant poaching cases reported in Kollegal range of forests, where three elephants were found shot dead recently.

The persons who were arrested are Madaiah alias Bellulli Madaiah (48), Madappa alias Suntri Madappa (45), Karna alias Anthony Swamy (45), residents of Ramegowdanahalli of Kollegal taluk and Kumar alias Mahadeva (30), a resident of Biligundlu in Tamil Nadu. The police have recovered a muzzle loader from the accused.

According to a press release issued by the Inspector General of Police (CID, Forest Cell), the accused were killing elephants using fire arms and were removing their tusks

It was also stated that the accused had sold tusks to local buyers as well as some persons from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Other persons — Kinari alias Basamma, Kencha, Shivanna and Mahadeva — who are alleged to have assisted the accused in poaching elephants are absconding.