TIRUPATI: Renigunta sub-division police have arrested seven smugglers and confiscated 405 red sanders logs, weighing 4,365 kg and valued at Rs 3.70 crore in the international market. This is the largest seizure of red sanders during recent times in Tirupati district.
The arrested have been identified as Singamala Giri Babu (41), Yagnam Chandrasekhar (45), Puli Harish (41), Kovuru Harikrishna (28), Jyoti Srinivasulu (47), Middela Viswanath (41) and Javadhi Tirumala (28). They hail from Annamaiah, Kadapa and Tirupati districts.
Police said the principal accused Giri Babu and his accomplice Chandrasekhar have a history of red sanders’ smuggling, with prior convictions and arrest under the Preventive Detention Act.
Tirupati district superintendent of police P. Parameswara told reporters that following specific intelligence inputs, a police team led by Renigunta Rural circle inspector Subba Rayudu and sub-inspector Dharma Reddy organised vehicular checks near Yogananda College on Renigunta road during the early hours of Wednesday.
A lorry and two SUVs heading towards Chennai from Railway Kodur tried to take a U turn on witnessing the vehicular check. However, police managed to stop all three vehicles.
The SP said a search of the lorry and two SUVs, revealed 405 red sanders logs and bundles of the contraband’s small pieces. He said a search operation has been launched to apprehend Guna Sekhar, who operates from Tamil Nadu and is involved in the case.
Parameswara commended the police team for successfully apprehending the smugglers and seizing red sander logs.
