Who was Tashi Sherpa? International tiger smuggler sentenced to 5 years

International tiger smuggler Tashi Sherpa was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh by the trial court in Narmadapuram on May 9, 2025. His conviction followed a nine-year investigation into illegal tiger hunting in Satpura Tiger Reserve, Narmadapuram, in 2015, and the smuggling of tiger bones to China. Sherpa was arrested on January 25, 2024, near the international border in Siliguri, West Bengal.

The case, initially linked to tiger poaching in Satpura Tiger Reserve, was transferred to the State Tiger Force (STF), which uncovered an organized smuggling gang. Through their investigation, 30 individuals were arrested, and 27 of them were convicted by the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Narmadapuram.

MP Tiger Foundation Society (@mptfs) wrote on X, reporting that Tashi Sherpa was convicted after a 9-year investigation by the State Tiger Force (STSF). Arrested on January 25, 2024, Sherpa was a key player in a cross-border tiger trafficking syndicate. The investigation utilized advanced techniques like brain mapping and cyber forensics, leading to India’s first conviction of an entire wildlife trafficking network.

Tashi Sherpa convicted after 9-year STSF probe. Arrested on 25/01/24, convicted on 9/05/25. Key player in a cross-border tiger trafficking syndicate. Advanced techniques like brain mapping and cyber forensics used.India’s first conviction of an entire wildlife trafficking network pic.twitter.com/tclyMUwEZG

— MP Tiger Foundation Society (@mptfs) May 10, 2025

To gather evidence against Sherpa, the STF employed advanced scientific techniques, including brain mapping and narco analysis. Cyber data was also crucial in building the case, which was presented as vital evidence in court. The STF’s investigation was supported by global agencies, including Interpol, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, and other law enforcement organizations.

Who was Tashi Sherpa?

Tashi Sherpa, originally from Tibet, was a key player in an international tiger smuggling network that spanned India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China. This network was responsible for poaching tigers and trafficking their bones, which were smuggled to China. Sherpa’s bail was rejected by the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur, and his petition for bail in the Supreme Court in July 2024 was also denied. The Supreme Court ordered that the trial be completed within a year.

This case stands as the first of its kind in India, where an entire criminal gang of 28 people—comprising poachers, couriers, middlemen, and smugglers—was successfully apprehended and convicted. Sherpa’s conviction marked a significant victory in the fight against wildlife trafficking. The success of the prosecution was largely due to the diligent efforts of the Assistant District Prosecution Officer in Narmadapuram, who played a crucial role in bringing the entire gang to justice.

The exposure of this international smuggling network serves as a major step forward in the protection of tigers and wildlife in India, demonstrating the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat illegal wildlife trade.

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