Ambulance loaded with red sanders caught in Chittoor, 71 logs worth Rs. 1 cr seized

Chittoor: In a big catch, the Chittoor police seized 71 red sanders logs worth Rs. 1 crore that were being smuggled in an ambulance and an auto-rickshaw. They also arrested 15 members of an interstate red sanders gang and seized three vehicles.

This is probably the first time the smugglers have used an ambulance to smuggle red sanders.

Based on reliable information, the Chittoor police formed teams to nab the gang. On 25 May, during vehicle checks on Chittoor-Veluru Road, the police apprehended the ambulance and found red sanders logs inside. The smugglers were also transporting logs in an auto-rickshaw. The logs were hidden under water cans.

"We caught eight red sandalwood laborers and a few workers while four accused escaped. During the investigation, we found that they have smuggled the logs from the Seshachalam forest in Tirupati. The gang said the smuggled logs are sent to Tamil Nadu," said the superintendent of police, Y. Rishanth Reddy.

The SP added that some gang members have several cases against them and they had previously gone to jail.

The gang used an ambulance to smuggle the red sandalwood logs, crossing the check-posts and toll gates. When crossing the borders, the driver sounded the siren to escape vehicle checks. "The criminals are greatly influenced by the movies, finding new ways of smuggling. But we are ahead of them," said the SP.