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Kollam’s aide among 6 red sanders smugglers held
Speaking to the media here on Thursday, RSASTF SP Ravisankar said the six arrested were identified as Chinna, Srinivasulu, Aravinda Reddy, who were earlier detained under PD Act and resumed smuggling after their release, and three more Prasanth alias Kutti, Murali Krishna and Baba Saheb.
Tirupati: The Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) arrested six smugglers including the close associate of Kollam Gangi Reddy, a notorious smuggler having international links, and seized four vehicles including two vans, a motor cycle and a scooter and 14 red sanders logs, on Thursday.
Highlights:
- RSASTF personnel seized 14 red sanders logs and four vehicles
- Rajasekhar alias Chinna of Kodur, close associate of Kollam Gangi Reddy, involved in 40 cases, says SP Ravisankar
The meticulous investigation following the recent seizure of fake Heritage van along with red sanders logs in Mangalam area resulted in the RSASTF investigation team getting vital clues which ultimately led to the arrest of six smugglers including the most wanted Rajasekhar alias Chinna of Kodur, involved in about 40 cases of red sanders logs smuggling.
Speaking to the media here on Thursday, RSASTF SP Ravisankar said the six arrested were identified as Chinna, Srinivasulu, Aravinda Reddy, who were earlier detained under PD Act and resumed smuggling after their release, and three more Prasanth alias Kutti, Murali Krishna and Baba Saheb.
Interestingly, Srinivasulu, who was arrested, is a RMP doctor from Rayachoti took up smuggling to make quick money. He shifted to Avilala near Tirupati where he is practicing medicine after his release and continued smuggling.
The SP said the gang engaged wood cutters and coolies from Tamil Nadu for felling red sanders trees in Seshachalam forest and bring the logs down the hill to hand them over to the gang. The gang smuggled them to Chennai to hand over to the smugglers with international links.
Ravisankar said, the investigation after the seizure of fake Heritage Tata Ace van revealed that it was originally belong to Rangamma, a woman of Somala, who is no more. Later, it changed hands before it was sold to Baba Saheb, who was found to be a smuggler. Based on the investigation, the RSASTF team intensified their search leading to the arrest of the five, he explained.
The gang purchased the vehicles and remodelled in Chennai and changed the numbers to use them in the illegal smuggling activities. The vehicle will be kept in the hide out in Chennai after the successful smuggling of logs only to brought them back for smuggling purpose only.
He wanted the people to be wary of selling and purchasing vehicles without thoroughly verifying the antecedents of the buyers or owners. Among the arrested Arvind Reddy is from Madanapalle and others from Karakambadi and Jeevakona area which revealed that the locals are still
involved in the smuggling activities.
