RSASTF officials with the seized sandalwood logs and smugglers following raids in Annamayya district and Karnataka.
In a major crackdown on red sanders smuggling, the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) on Thursday arrested eight inter-State smuggling operatives and seized six tonnes of sandalwood logs, estimated to be around ₹4.2 crore, at Komatoni Cheruvu in Annamayya district. Apart from the ten logs seized from the gang, the task force raided a clandestinely-operated godown in Karnataka and seized an additional 185 logs.
The operation also led to the confiscation of a car and a motorcycle used in the illegal transport of the contraband.
According to officials, the task force launched a surprise raid at Komatoni Cheruvu in Veeraballi mandal in Annamayya district, based on intelligence inputs. The smugglers were caught red-handed while loading sandalwood logs onto a vehicle. A police chase ensued, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals, while several others managed to escape.
The task force officials revealed that the arrested smugglers belonged to Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu. Acting on their confession, the RSASTF, in coordination with the Tirupati district police and Karnataka police, conducted another operation near Hoskote in Karnataka. This led to the discovery and seizure of 185 additional sandalwood logs hidden near Nilgiri Gardens in Katiganahalli village.
Task force officials confirmed that efforts were underway to apprehend the remaining smugglers and masterminds behind the operation.
Published – February 06, 2025 08:27 pm IST
