In a remarkable display of inter-state cooperation, the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) from Andhra Pradesh, working hand-in-hand with the South East District police of Delhi, successfully executed a raid on a warehouse located in Tughlakabad village. This meticulous operation culminated in the seizure of a substantial consignment: a staggering 10 tonnes of red sanders logs, with an estimated market value of nearly ₹10 crore.
Director General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta confirmed the arrests of two individuals involved in this elaborate trafficking network. The apprehended suspects, identified as Irfan, a resident of Tolichowki in Hyderabad, and Amit Sampat Pawar from Thane, Navi Mumbai, were allegedly responsible for smuggling the precious wood from Tirupati to Delhi. It was noted that Irfan had a prior record, having been arrested by Tirupati police in 2023 for a similar offense.
The DGP elaborated that the intelligence-led operation was initiated based on credible information gathered by the A.P. Intelligence, RSASTF, and the Delhi police. During intense questioning, the duo confessed to their audacious plan: to further smuggle these valuable logs to international markets, specifically China and various other South Asian countries. These regions present a lucrative demand for red sanders, primarily due to its perceived high medicinal properties. The investigation into the broader scope of this organized smuggling ring is currently ongoing.