Bantwal: In a quick possession by Vittal police at Salethur near Vittal, three illegal cattle traffickers were arrested and 16 cattle were seized along with the container truck, on Wednesday night.

Fateeb (28) of Nanjangud, Rahim of Kenchattalli and Gopal Gowda of Koppala are the arrested persons. They are allegedly trafficking the cattle to neighbouring state Kerala illegally.

After receiving credible information about the illegal cattle trafficking, police raided the vehicle. Police were informed that the cattle were being taken to a slaughterhouse at Kasargod. The cattle were bought from the farmers of Hassan district.

Police found that cattle were tied in a torturous manner inside the vehicle. The vehicle was travelling to Kasargod through Bolanthuru and Manjeshwar route.

The possession was led by Vittal police station SI Prakash Devediga.