RSASTF Seizes Red Sanders Worth ₹2 Crore Near Kavali
Police gave chase and managed to bring the vehicle to a halt. Occupants of the lorry attempted to flee but police caught one of them, identified as a native of Haryana.
TIRUPATI: In a major operation, the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) intercepted a lorry on the Vijayawada-Chennai highway near Kavali on Tuesday night and seized 83 logs of red sanders weighing nearly 2.5 tonnes. The consignment is estimated to be worth around ₹2 crore in the international market.
Acting on credible information, RSASTF teams launched vehicle checks in coordination with Kavali I Town, II Town and Rural police within the K. Bitragunta forest beat limits. Around midnight, two cars and a lorry approached the checkpoint at high speed. While the cars made a sudden U-turn and sped away, the lorry drove through the blockade.
Police gave chase and managed to bring the vehicle to a halt. Occupants of the lorry attempted to flee but police caught one of them, identified as a native of Haryana. On inspection, police found 83 red sanders concealed in the lorry.
Officials said that the consignment had been destined to Chennai for further transport. A case has been registered. Investigations are underway to trace the smugglers who escaped in the two cars.