The Bengaluru City Police (BCP) has intensified its war against illegal wildlife and timber trade, successfully cracking down on a major red sandalwood (red sanders) smuggling operation within the limits of the R.T. Nagar Police Station.
Massive Seizure and Arrests
Acting on specific intelligence, the R.T. Nagar police intercepted a vehicle and arrested two individuals involved in the illegal trade. The haul was substantial:
- Seized Material: A total of 754 kg and 200 grams of red sandalwood logs were recovered.
- Estimated Value: The seized contraband is estimated to be worth approximately ₹75.4 lakh in the illegal market.
The arrested accused have been identified as Rajashekar (29), an MBA graduate, and Varaprasad Reddy (24), a BTech graduate, both hailing from Andhra Pradesh.
Interstate Smuggling Network Busted
The investigation revealed that the duo was part of an interstate smuggling ring. The arrested individuals confessed that, being unemployed, they resorted to crime. They allegedly stole the precious timber from the Sundupalli area near Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh and transported the logs in a vehicle to Bengaluru, where they intended to sell the consignment to local handlers for a higher price.
This R.T. Nagar bust is part of a wider crackdown by the BCP. Authorities confirmed that the logs were being moved from Andhra Pradesh, with some consignments destined for Tamil Nadu, using Bengaluru as a transit point.
The police have registered a case under the relevant sections of the Karnataka Forest Act against the accused, who have been remanded to judicial custody. This seizure highlights the ongoing challenge posed by organised syndicates profiting from the highly protected red sandalwood, a species primarily endemic to the Eastern Ghats. The police are continuing their investigation to trace the larger network and the main perpetrators involved in financing and executing the smuggling operation.
