Chennai police seize red sanders after raids on city godown

Chennai: City police on Thursday landed a major haul of red sanders of about 30 metric tons from a godown near Madhavaram in Chennai. Two persons were detained in connection with the case, sources said.

According to the sources, on Thursday, officials spotted a suspicious looking truck near Minjur and intercepted it. On inspection, the truck was found to be loaded with bags stuffed with  rags and worn clothes.

 However, below the bags,  were found red sanders, after which the officials took the truck driver to the godown where they were loaded. On reaching the godown, police found another man. He was apprehended and on further inspection of the godown, 30 metric tons of sanders were recovered.

The highly prized species of trees is smuggled to the Middle East and South East Asian countries from where ultimately they land in China, officials said.

Primary investigations revealed that various gangs collect red sanders logs in the godown and then clandestinely swap them with export consignments bound for foreign destinations through Chennai port. Investigations are on to find the others involved in the smuggling.