Idukki: A 50-year-old man was arrested from Kambammettu on Sunday for illegal possession of five kg meat of the barking deer.
Kumily forest range officer Anil Kumar said 2 kg of cooked venison and 3 kg raw meat were found in the refrigerator at accused Chennakulam Nadayidathu Babu's house.
“We also found the apparatus for brewing arrack at his house. He was planning to sell the cooked and raw venison on the occassion of a church festival in his locality,” the range officer said.
Forest officials said that ammunition used in the gun and a snare were also seized from his house. The remains of the deer were found in the compound of the house.
The officer said Babu was a seasoned illegal hunter in the region.
“He turned violent and didn't cooperate during questioning. We suspect that a gang is associated with him,” Anil Kumar said.
Babu will be produced before the Kattapana magistrate on Monday.
