RANIPET, November 19 — The Forest Department successfully seized 31 wooden logs of red sanders valued at approximately ₹15 lakh from the Ammoor Reserve Forest (RF) near Arakkonam town on Sunday. The recovered consignment weighed around 390 kg.
Based on alerts received from local residents, a team of forest officials led by S. Tamilarasan, Forest Range Officer (Arakkonam), conducted a patrol inside the reserve. The team discovered the valuable red sanders logs dumped and hidden within the bushes.
Forest officials revealed that the operation quickly utilized technology and local assistance to track the suspects. Subsequent analysis of CCTV cameras fixed along the route revealed footage of the culprits entering the forest. With assistance from the local police, the team managed to locate the hideout of the suspects.
Officials stated that the gang had chopped the red sanders trees inside the forest and concealed the logs before planning to transport them to prospective buyers in Chennai and Kancheepuram.
The seized red sanders have been sent to the government timber unit in Tirupattur, where they will be used to make incense sticks, as per official norms. A case has been registered under relevant acts, and a further probe into the smuggling network is currently underway.