Chittoor Police nabs international red sandalwood smuggler, seizes 100 logs worth Rs 3 crore
India Today
Perumal, an international red sandalwood smuggler who has been operating since 2014, was nabbed by the Chittoor Police on Tuesday. Police also recovered 100 logs worth Rs 3 crore and seized 4 vehicles which were being used to transport them.
Chittoor Police, on Tuesday, May 31, nabbed an international red sandalwood smuggler, Perumal, along with another accused. They recovered 100 red sandalwood logs worth Rs 3 crore and seized four vehicles.
The two accused, Velu and Perumal, along with two tonnes of red sandalwood logs, were apprehended in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district. Superintendent of Police, Rishant Reddy said the arrest and seizure were part of a special drive launched against fugitive smuggler Perumal.
Based on a tip-off, while inspecting vehicles at Cherlopalli Cross on Bangalore Road, three cars from Tirupati going towards Vellore were spotted. After noticing the police, the vehicle occupants escaped and a large quantity of red sandalwood was seized.
The precious wood was being smuggled to Tamil Nadu from the forests of Tirumala and Tirupati. A total of 100 logs valued at about Rs 3 crore, along with vehicles, were seized by the police.
"There are several cases in the district against the arrested accused Perumal. He is the most wanted inter-state red sandalwood smuggler and 15 cases have been registered against him in Andhra’s Chittoor district alone. He is a notorious international red sandalwood smuggler," said the SP.
"He has been smuggling red sandalwood since 2014. A murder case has also been registered against him," revealed SP Rishant Reddy.
1) Tanji, Kaniyambadi, Vellore District, (Receiver)2) Balaji, Polur, Thiruvannamalai District, (Receiver)3) Ajith, Kal Kuppam village, Polur taluka, Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu, a close associate of Perumal,4) Vinod, Polur taluka, Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu, 5) Sarath, Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu, 6) Ramesh,7) Dawn, Chennai, (Receiver)8) Tanja Parai Kumar, and9) Chinnapayyan.
