India: The Tirupati police on Thursday raided some godowns in Pondur village in Sri Perambadur taluk of  Kanchipuram district, near Chennai and seized 395 red sanders logs weighing around 9.5 tons.

According to Rayalaseema region Inspector General of Police, N Sridhar Rao,  a team of Tirupati urban police raided a godown with the help of Kanchipuram police and seized the logs. They also seized two weighing machines, two chainsaw wood-cutting machines. The godown has also been sealed. He said the police were using mobile apps to search, track, locate and analyse information about the red sanders smugglers. These technologies have helped them in tracking down the godowns and smuggling routes.

Sridhar Rao also said that the Law and Order police are vigilant and are firm on curbing the  red sander smuggling. He said 1,193 cases have been registered, 6,924 smugglers arrested and 22,118 logs have been seized. Besides, 1,016 four-wheelers of various sizes have also been seized.

The police have recently arrested Mohmed Zakeer and Parthiban, who are linked to international smuggling networks.

The Chandragiri police arrested Rajmohan of Tirupathur, Jagannadham and Balan on August 19. They were involved in 40 cases of smuggling in Chittoor and Tirupati urban police districts. Most wanted Kirubhakaran alias Kirubha, who was arrested on August 23 in Chennai, revealed that he, smuggler Selvaraj and associates have dumped few tons of red sander logs along with a 16-wheel lorry in a godown at Pondur village in Sri Perambadur taluk, Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Based on this input, the police conducted raids. Tirupati Urban SP Jayalakshmi was also present.

(Source: New Indian Express)