Eight red sanders logs seized

Tirupati: Even as the RSASTF (Redsander Anti-Smuggling Task Force) is continuing its drive against red sanders smuggling, the smuggling of the precious wood from Seshachalam forests remain unabated. On Tuesday morning, RSASTF combing party led by RSI Vasu recovered eight logs of super quality red sanders from the bushes in the forest area of Niluvarathi kona in Bhimavaram beat of Seshapuram forests, 25 km from here.

Vasu and his party, which began combing late on Monday night, found the smugglers’ movement and followed them. However, the smugglers carrying the logs were alerted by the torch light focus of the task force and fled away leaving behind the logs.

Thick fog coupled with hostile terrain hindered the force in nabbing the smugglers. During the day on Tuesday, sniffer dogs were brought to the area, helping the force recover the logs from the bushes.

It may be noted here that the task force recovered 58 red sanders logs from Bakarapet forests, which is 10 km away from Seshapuram forests, on the west of the pilgrim city, two days ago while a week back task force busted two cases of red sander smuggling from Karakambadi forest area on the east of the city.

Meanwhile, Pichatur police seized 44 red sanders logs from an SUV in Reppalapattu village in the mandal after arresting a smuggler Pugalendi from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.