NEW DELHI: A Chinese national and two of his associates were arrested for smuggling sandalwood worth Rs 5 crore, which was to be sold to a supplier on the India-China border.
Police suspected the proceeds from the sale were to be used for unscrupulous activities in the border areas between India and China.
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The accused, Birbal Yadav and Jitender Yadav, were selling high quality sandalwood outside a shop in Chandni Chowk. When they were asked about the prices, the men agreed to sell off their stock of 485kg at one-tenth the actual price. “A team led by SHO Kotwali traced the source to a smuggler from China,” said DCP north, Madhur Verma.
Police said the key accused Chen Xi Gui entrusted Birbal and Jitender to supply the consignment of goods to another Chinese national. They admitted that while they were on their way to deliver the goods, they decided to siphon off the consignment and sell it in the open market. However, they were not aware of the prices and were willing to sell the wood at a meagre amount.
The copies of Chen’s passport have been recovered from the duo. Police suspected that the group of smugglers have been operating from hotels in Paharganj or near Majnu ka Tilla posing as tourists.
Police said experts from the forest department, whom they had consulted after the raid, have confirmed the woods to be fine quality white sandalwood., which could be used for medicinal purposes.A case under sections of theft of national property and forest Act has been registered against the men.
