Chittoor: Red Sandalwood worth Rs 10L seized

Hyderabad: The police have seized Red Sandalwood of worth Rs 10L at Nemdragutta of Pakala Mandal in Chittoor district, early on Saturday. Apart from seizing the Red Sandalwood, they have detained 35 smugglers involved in the crime.

It is worth recollecting that the forest officials have seized 101 Red Sandalwood logs at Kottamadhavaram of Ontimitta mandal in Kadapa district, early on Friday. They have seized a huge quantity of Red Sandalwood logs, apart from detaining the two smugglers who were allegedly involved in smuggling and illegal transportation of the Red Sandalwood. Upon receiving authenticated information from an anonymous source, the Forest officials have attacked the spot in Kadapa district and were rewarding in their efforts. More details are awaited. Also, in a similar incident that happened early on Thursday, the police of Erpedu in Chittoor district have seized the Red Sandalwood logs apart from detaining 23 smugglers who were allegedly involved in smuggling and illegal transportation of the Red Sandalwood. On three successive days similar cases have been registered posing an imminent threat to the forests of Andhra Pradesh.

It is learnt that the smugglers are reportedly supported by the top rank politicians who in turn pressurize the officials also. Nellore and Chittoor districts have become the vital districts for Red Sandalwood smuggling. In the last two months only, many such cases have been revealed. Also, news made rounds a few days before that younger brother of Kiran Kumar Reddy, the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, was also involved in this rocket.