ANANTAPUR: In a major breakthrough, the Kadapa police on Wednesday nabbed 53 Tamil Nadu-based woodcutters and smugglers after intercepting three vehicles at a police check post on Muddanur-Yerraguntla Road and seized about 1 tonne of red sanders logs from their possession.
Of the 53 woodcutters/ smugglers, 31 were from Salem district, 20 from Villupuram district while each from Nammakkal and Tiruvannamalai districts.
Cases were registered against them at Muddanur, Yerraguntla and Kondapuram police stations.
Kadapa OSD B. Satya Yesubabu said on a tip-off, police teams were alerted at all check posts over entry of woodcutters from Tamil Nadu. They were heading towards Bengaluru with 63 red sanders logs. Three vehicles, along with 26 mobile phones, were also seized from their possession, the OSD said.
“We got credible information regarding illicit transportation of red sanders logs. Based on that, we alerted all the police stations and check posts and start vehicle checking. Most of the woodcutters are aged between 20 and 40 years,” he said. He appreciated the staff for playing a pivotal role in arresting the smugglers.
