Police seize Rs 2 cr worth red sandalwood; 5 held

Team Udayavani, Jan 10, 2020, 10:19 AM IST

Mangaluru: Acting on reliable information, Panambur police and personnel from the anti-rowdy squad of Mangaluru North sub-division raided a godown here and seized 4,000 kg of red sandalwood worth Rs 2 crore.

The police arrested five persons – Tabrez (36), Lohith (35), Rakesh Shetty (44), Hussain Kunhimonu (45) and Farooq (45) during the raid at the godown located the road leading to Jokatte from Baikamlady Industrial Area. The police also confiscated a Maruti Brezza, Renault Pulse, Tata Ace, two plywood boxes and seven mobile phones valued Rs 19 lakh.

It is gathered that the gang was preparing to illegal export the 4,000 kg of red sandalwood through New Mangalore Port.

A case has been registered under Sections 50, 62, 80, 104 of Karnataka Forest Act and 144, 165 of Karnataka Forest Rules at the Panambur police station.