DRI busts red sanders smuggling racket, seizes 15 tonnes worth ₹6.26 crore in Chennai
According to DRI, officers developed specific intelligence indicating that red sanders was being clandestinely stored at various warehouses in Chennai and its outskirts, with plans to transport the consignment to Delhi for illicit export.
New Delhi, December 15: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has thwarted an organised attempt to illegally export red sanders, seizing 15 metric tonnes of the prohibited timber valued at ₹6.26 crore from multiple locations in and around Chennai. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the case.
Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), which is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is prohibited or restricted for export under the foreign trade policy.
According to DRI, officers developed specific intelligence indicating that red sanders was being clandestinely stored at various warehouses in Chennai and its outskirts, with plans to transport the consignment to Delhi for illicit export. Based on this information, coordinated searches were carried out at three premises between December 9 and December 11.
During the operation, officers recovered 169 grade A red sanders logs weighing 5.55 metric tonnes from one location. Of these, 76 logs were wrapped and concealed using white HDPE packing material and were ready to be loaded onto a truck for transport to Delhi. The consignment was falsely declared as ‘household articles’ to mask the illegal export. Both the offending goods and the cover cargo were seized under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Searches at the remaining two premises led to the recovery and seizure of an additional 9.55 metric tonnes of red sanders in the form of logs, roots and furniture.
The arrested individuals include the key operative behind the smuggling network, two associates involved in packing and transportation, and an intermediary linked to the supply side. Further investigation is underway to identify additional links in the smuggling chain and the intended export destination.
The DRI said it remains committed to intensifying action against organised smuggling networks that threaten India’s economic security and endanger its biodiversity.
