Woman Accused of Running Wildlife Trafficking Ring Arrested Near China Border
After a decade-long pursuit, authorities have apprehended Yangchen Lachungpa, a 43-year-old woman wanted by Interpol for allegedly orchestrating a massive wildlife trafficking network. The arrest took place in Lachung, a remote village in north Sikkim, close to the India-China border.
The Decade-Long Chase
Yangchen, described by investigators as a "ghost," allegedly built trafficking corridors linking tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh to Nepal, Tibet, and China. She was known for evading capture, often moving between safe houses and slipping across borders before raids could occur.
Arrest Details
The arrest on December 2nd involved the MP State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). The operation faced unexpected challenges as the village of Lachung is governed by the Dzumsa, a centuries-old self-governing council.
- Villagers reportedly blocked the only exit.
- Elected headmen demanded documentation.
- Officers had to justify their actions to the council before detaining Yangchen.
Yangchen is also the former wife of Jaiy Tamang, who was previously arrested in Delhi for smuggling pangolin scales. Tamang's confession implicated Yangchen as a key figure in the trafficking chain.
During the arrest, Yangchen allegedly attempted to destroy two cellphones and a coded diary containing names, routes, and hawala references.
Significance of the Arrest
Authorities consider Yangchen's arrest a major breakthrough in wildlife enforcement, particularly as it followed an Interpol Red Notice issued at India's request. The Red Notice, issued on October 2, 2025, allowed law enforcement in 195 countries to detain her.
Yangchen, originally from Tibet, is accused of trafficking tiger parts, pangolin scales, red sanders, shatoosh wool, and Cordyceps to international buyers.
Past Incidents and Connections
The network Yangchen allegedly led has been linked to several international seizures:
- 2013: Nepal Police intercepted five tiger skins and seven sacks of bones en route to Tibet. DNA testing linked one hide to a tigress from Pench.
- 2015: Ethiopian authorities confiscated eight tiger skins believed to have originated in central India.
The Case That Led to the Arrest
The investigation that led to Yangchen's capture began in July 2015, when Madhya Pradesh authorities seized tiger bones, skin, pangolin scales, and bone oil extract from Satpura Tiger Reserve. The STSF uncovered a "highly structured multinational trafficking chain," leading to the arrest of 31 individuals and the conviction of 27 in 2022.
Yangchen was previously arrested in September 2017 but fled after being granted interim bail. After her anticipatory bail was rejected in 2019, she disappeared again, prompting international intervention.
Aftermath of the Arrest
Following her arrest in Lachung, Yangchen was taken to Gangtok for a medical examination and produced in court on December 3. Madhya Pradesh authorities secured transit remand. Sikkim Police provided crucial support during the operation.
Payments within the trafficking network were allegedly routed through Kathmandu, Siliguri, and border villages. Suspected wildlife stockpiles were maintained in the Satpura, Pench, Betul, and Tamia forests. The recovered coded diary is expected to reveal financial backers and international contacts.
A senior enforcement officer stated that this arrest could expose the top tier of global wildlife contraband markets, potentially leading to further arrests across states and borders.
