The red sanders anti-smuggling task force achieved a significant breakthrough on Wednesday by apprehending two interstate smugglers and recovering 77 red sanders logs in Tirupati district. The operation took place near Thayimambapuram village, following a tip-off that led to a surprise check along the Puttur-Nesanur route.
Operation Details
Acting on credible intelligence, the task force team conducted a sudden inspection in the area. The vigilance team noticed a suspicious bike escorting a car and moved forward to investigate. Upon seeing the approaching officials, the occupants of the car abandoned the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot. However, the task force personnel acted swiftly and managed to apprehend two individuals from the spot.
Arrests and Seizures
The arrested individuals were identified as interstate smugglers hailing from the Tiruvannamalai region in Tamil Nadu. During the search of the abandoned car, the task force discovered 77 red sanders logs cleverly concealed inside the vehicle. The logs were confiscated, and the accused were taken into custody for further interrogation.
This successful operation underscores the continuous efforts of the task force to curb the illegal trafficking of red sanders, a highly valued timber species often targeted by smugglers. The authorities are now investigating the wider network involved in this smuggling attempt.
