Dreaded red sanders smuggler Musa arrested

• Muniappan alias Musa is known for carrying out operation in the style of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan
• Officials with the help of police conduct raid on his den in Chennai at midnight on Sunday
• Brought to Nellore for interrogation

Nellore: Officials of the Forest Department at midnight on Sunday at last succeeded in taking an allegedly dreaded red sanders smuggler Muniappan Musa alias Musa into custody. The Forest Department officials with the help of the police conducted a surprise raid on his hideout at Red Hills area in Chenna and took him into custody. He was brought to Nellore for interrogation.

Musa was the most dreaded red sanders smuggler. He had been carrying on the red sanders smuggling for last 20 years. He was known to have executed the operation smuggling in the style of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. He had wide network of criminal both in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He was the most feared smuggler because he would not hesitate to eliminate anyone who dared to challenge him, the officials said. It may be recalled that the then Divisional Forest Officer late Venkaiah along with his staff had conducted massive raids on the hideouts of Musa in Chennaia way back in 2003. Venkaiah had not only arrested Musa but also seized a container laden with red sanders and music instruments crafted with the red sanders. But Musa, with the help of wide network in the State, was able to extricate himself from the criminal cases and again continued the operation smuggling on a bigger scale, the officials said.

Musa’s arrest was one of the biggest successes of the Forest Department after the arrest of Gangi Reddy. Though Gangi Reddy jumped the bail and was suspected to have fled to a foreign country.

“Many skeletons could tumble of cupboards, if Musa spills beans,” the officials said.