Interpol arrests woman in India for trafficking tiger parts

Indian authorities have detained Yangchen Lachungpa, a woman regarded as one of the most wanted traffickers of tiger body parts globally. Officials said she was apprehended earlier this week for allegedly orchestrating smuggling routes to export tiger parts from India.

Lachungpa, previously listed on Interpol's most-wanted register, had her bail request denied during a court hearing on Thursday. Wildlife officials described her capture as a significant achievement in India's fight against poaching, noting that arrests of women in such illegal wildlife trade cases are exceedingly rare.

Authorities had been searching for Lachungpa for several years. Her arrest resulted from a coordinated effort between the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, according to the environment ministry. Lachungpa is believed to have played a central role in a trafficking network with connections to Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan, as well as operations in multiple Indian cities, including Delhi.

Tiger parts remain highly sought after in China for use in traditional medicine. Lachungpa had previously been detained in 2017 but vanished after being released on bail. At that time, another accused, Jai Tamang, admitted to providing her with wildlife contraband in return for shelter.

According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, there were 26 reported incidents of tiger poaching in India in 2024, down from 56 cases the previous year. The organization cautioned that the actual number of poached tigers may be higher, as many are found dead without clear signs of poaching.

Author: Aiden Foster