RSASTF officials arrest seven red sandalwood smugglers in Srikalahasti forest area, seize 72 logs worth ₹2.5 crore

RSASTF officials arrest seven red sandalwood smugglers in Srikalahasti forest, seize 72 logs worth ₹2.5 crore.

The Red Sandalwood Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) officials arrested seven red sanders smugglers in the Srikalahasti forest area of Tirupati district on Monday. They have seized 72 logs of red sandalwood, a truck and a car from the spot.

As per the action plan of RSASTF Head L. Subbarayudu and SP P. Srinivas, the team including RSI C. Vinod Kumar and RI Sai Giridhar have conducted combing operations under the guidance of DSP G. Balireddy in the Srikalahasti forest area on Sunday.

All vehicles were checked at entry and exit points at Dommarapalem on Pangur Main Road in Katuru Forest Beat area. On Monday morning, a car and a lorry behind it were stopped at a distance. Observing the RSASTF team, the people in the vehicles tried to flee.

The RSASTF officials caught them and inspected the vehicles. They found 72 red sandalwood logs, which are estimated to be cost around ₹2.5 crore. Four of the arrested were identified as residents of Tirupati district and the other three as residents of Tamil Nadu.

The arrested were taken to the Tirupati RSASTF Police Station along with the red sandalwood logs. DSPs V. Srinivasulu Reddy and Sharif are investigating the case and the investigation is on.