VELLORE: The Andhra Pradesh police on Tuesday arrested a 15-year-old boy for allegedly trying to smuggle red sanders logs.The incident came close on the heels of the arrest of 32 people from Tiruvannamalai and Vellore districts on August 4 in connection with red sanders smuggling in Andhra Pradesh.
In another incident on Monday , AP police arrested a Chennai dentist and two others from Andhra Pradesh at Karakambadi near Tirupati for attempting to smuggle red sanders logs worth `25 lakh.Police said the three men were trying to send the logs to Chennai Harbour from where it would be sent to Dubai and thereon to Hong Kong. red sanders trees were being felled in Mamandur Reserve Forest (RF) near Koduru in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, conducted a vehicle check between Renigunta and Koduru railway station at about 2 am. The police team intercepted a van, but, on seeing the police, the smugglers abandoned the vehicle and took to their heels. Police managed to arrest Suresh (name changed), the minor hailing from Chengam Taluk in Tiruvannamalai.
They also seized 85 logs worth `2 crore and the vehicle that was being used to smuggle the logs. “We have launched a search for 19 others, who were part of the gang,” said a police official attached to Renigunta.
During questioning, the M eanwhile, a police team attached to Renigunta, acting on a tip that the boy told police he had come along with 19 others 15 days ago.Annamalai of Vellore district took the group into the Mamandur forest, camping inside while they felled red sanders trees. “The boy decided to join Annamalai, who promised him Rs 300 for each kg of red sanders logs,” said police, seeking anonymity .
He also named a few accomplices, including Kuppusamy , Madhavan, Sivakumar and Thirumalai, who managed to escape. He said two Teluguspeaking men accompanied them and stayed with them inside the forest while they felled the trees. Police said they have registered a case against the boy and 19 others on charges of trespassing into the forest, felling trees and smuggling the precious wood. “We will hand over the boy to the Juvenile Justice Board after formalities,” they said.
