RSASTF Seizes Red Sanders Logs, Arrests Smugglers in Tirupati and Kadapa

 Tirupati: The Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) has dealt a significant blow to the illegal red sanders trade in Andhra Pradesh, seizing 40 red sanders logs, a car, and a motorcycle in two separate incidents in the Tirupati and Kadapa districts on Saturday.

Three smugglers were arrested during the operations. Acting on the orders of Tirupati district superintendent of police (SP) L. Subbarayudu, the task force, led by SP P. Srinivas, conducted extensive combing operations and vehicle checks in the early hours of Saturday morning.

In the first incident, a reserve inspector Suresh Kumar Reddy and RSI Lingadhar intercepted a suspicious car near the Anjaneyapuram check post on the Tirupati-Kadapa National Highway in the Karakambadi forest area.

Two suspects fled the scene, but the task force managed to apprehend the remaining two occupants, both residents of Salem district, Tamil Nadu. A search of the car revealed 12 red sanders logs.

In the second incident, RSI P. Naresh’s team conducted a search operation in the Chakrayapet forest area near Vempalli in Kadapa district. The team apprehended a group of smugglers transporting red sanders logs near Malabilu. While several suspects escaped, one individual, a resident of Chakrayapet, was arrested. The police recovered 28 red sanders logs and a motorcycle from the scene.

Both cases have been registered at the Tirupati Task Force police station, and the investigation is being led by circle inspector Suresh Kumar and sub-inspector S. Rafi. The local forest department officials participated in these operations. Search operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.

The successful operations by the RSASTF demonstrate their commitment to combating the illegal red sanders trade, which has devastated the forests of Andhra Pradesh. These arrests and seizures send a strong message to smugglers that their activities will not be tolerated.