Dibrugarh: Police in Dhemaji district rescued a rare tokay gecko and arrested four persons on Thursday, busting what appears to be an interstate wildlife smuggling racket operating across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.Acting on a tip-off, personnel from the Bordoloni Police Outpost carried out an intensive operation in the Bordoloni area under the supervision of the senior superintendent of police, Dhemaji. A suspicious vehicle bearing registration number AS-22-F-7799 was intercepted and searched, leading to the recovery of the rare reptile.The four persons arrested have been identified as Monuj Baruah of Dhemaji, Sonaram Basumatary of Gogamukh, Mahesh Panika of Dibrugarh and Sunente Chakma, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh. The presence of accused from both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has raised strong suspicion of an organised interstate smuggling network.The tokay gecko is a protected species that commands a significant price in the international black market, with traders reportedly valuing individual specimens at several lakhs of rupees. The creature is believed to be in demand in certain overseas markets for use in traditional medicine and the exotic pet trade.“This operation was the result of timely intelligence and swift action by our team. The recovery of such a high-value protected species points to the existence of a well-organised racket that we are now working to dismantle fully,” said a senior police official associated with the operation.A case has been registered at Gogamukh Police Station. All four accused have been arrested under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Wildlife Protection Act, and strict legal action is being pursued, police said.Wildlife smuggling remains a serious concern in the northeastern region, given its proximity to international borders and rich biodiversity. The Tokay Gecko has been increasingly targeted by poachers in recent years owing to its high commercial value abroad.Police said that further investigation is underway to identify other members of the network and trace the intended destination of the rescued animal.