ED Seizes Rs 11.3 Crore Properties in Major Khair Wood Smuggling Operation
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken decisive action against a large-scale khair wood smuggling network by attaching 14 immovable properties valued at approximately Rs 11.3 crore in Godhra, Gujarat. This significant move comes as part of the ongoing investigation into the 2024 khair wood smuggling case, which was originally registered by the Mandvi South Range of the forest department in Surat.
Properties of Key Accused Attached
The attached properties belong to three primary accused individuals identified in the case:
- Mustak Aadam Tasiya, a resident of Godhra
- Tahir Ahemad Hussain, also from Godhra
- Arifali Amjadali Makrani, a resident of Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh
The attachment proceedings were executed in Godhra following meticulous financial investigations conducted by the ED, which revealed the substantial assets accumulated through the illegal timber trade.
Origins of the Smuggling Case
The case traces back to June 2024 when forest department officials made a major seizure of 2,055 metric tons of khair wood from the depot of Shalimar Enterprise located in Alirajpur. This massive consignment was subsequently transported to Mandvi for further legal processing and investigation.
Investigations have uncovered that the accused were allegedly engaged in the systematic illegal felling of khair trees from protected forest areas and wildlife sanctuaries spanning multiple districts including Tapi, Surat, Valsad, Navsari, and Narmada. The illicitly obtained timber was then transported and sold across various states, creating a widespread smuggling network.
Environmental Damage and Financial Trails
Forest officials have emphasized that this large-scale smuggling operation caused severe damage to the forest ecosystem, leading to the destruction of natural habitats for numerous wildlife species. The environmental impact has been described as substantial and long-lasting.
During the scrutiny of financial documents recovered from the accused, investigators discovered details of Rs 26 lakh in cash transactions that were traced to the R Kantiala Angadia firm in Vapi. Interestingly, this amount reportedly remained uncollected by the accused, adding another layer of complexity to the financial investigation.
Official Statements and Ongoing Investigations
"This represents an important action by the ED against the accused involved in this serious case," stated Puneet Nayyar, Conservator of Forest in Surat. "Further investigations are actively underway to identify additional beneficiaries and uncover more financial links connected to this extensive smuggling network."
In a parallel development within the ongoing probe, the forest department arrested another accused individual on Wednesday. Abbas Hafiz Khan, a resident of Bhilad and native of Uttar Pradesh, was taken into custody, according to Dhiraj Kumar, Deputy Conservator of Forest in Surat.
The combined efforts of the Enforcement Directorate and forest department officials continue to unravel the complexities of this smuggling operation, with authorities committed to pursuing all leads and bringing all involved parties to justice.
