Four smugglers held; 35 red sanders logs seized

Tirupati:The Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) arrested four smugglers and seized 35 red sanders logs, a car, and a truck in two separate incidents. As part of a special operational plan devised by RSASTF in-charge and Tirupati SP L. Subba Rayudu, the arrests were carried out under the supervision of Task Force SP P. Srinivas and DSP G. Bali Reddy.

In the first operation, a team led by RSI Suresh Kumar Reddy, supported by RSIs K.S.K. Lingadhar and T. Vishnuvardhan Kumar, intercepted a vehicle at the Chintalapalem check post in Yerpedu Mandal on Monday night. The team apprehended three individuals and seized 10 processed red sanders logs and a car.

In a parallel operation, a team led by RSI Muralidhar Reddy, along with the Kadapa Sub-Control Unit and led by RI M. Chiranjeevi, conducted a raid near a restricted forest area in Patapativaripalle village, Chandragiri Mandal. The team arrested one individual at a dumping yard and seized 25 red sanders logs, along with a truck.

The accused have been identified as three individuals from Tamil Nadu and one from Karnataka. Two cases were registered at the Tirupati Task Force Police Station, and investigations are ongoing, led by CI M. Suresh Kumar and SI C.H. Rafi. SP P. Srinivas stated that special teams have been formed to apprehend other smugglers involved in the racket. He also announced rewards for the officers and personnel who participated in these operations.