THOOTHUKUDI: In a major crackdown that has sent shockwaves in this old port-town down south, red sanders worth Rs 1.5 crore were seized from a private godown near Thoothukudi by the special intelligence and investigation branch (SIIB) of the Customs department. Acting on a tip off that red sander was attempted to be allegedly smuggled through Thoothukudi port to China, the Customs superintendent, Senthilnathan, along with assistant commissioner of customs and SIIB head, Varun Rengasamy, raided a private godown at Thambikaimeendan near Thoothukudi on Thursday night and seized 3.5 tonnes of red sander wood. The Customs officials too picked up the godown owner, Selvakumar of Levinchipuram, Thoothukudi, sources said.
According to Customs officials, preliminary investigation with the godown owner, Selvakumar revealed that the red sanders have been brought to Thoothukudi from Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh a week ago to be possibly smuggled to China through Thoothukudi port. The seized consignment has been estimated to cost Rs 1.5 crore in the international market, the official claimed.
