Police bust red sanders smuggling racket, seize 350 kg in Tamil Nadu

Police in Tiruvannamalai have cracked down on illegal timber trafficking, apprehending a shipment of 350 kilograms of red sanders during a routine operation. The contraband, comprising wooden logs of the endangered species, was intercepted before it could reach the black market.

Red sanders, native to the Eastern Ghats region of southern India, is a protected timber species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The wood commands high prices internationally due to its distinctive red colour and dense grain, making it a target for smugglers.

Following the seizure, authorities transferred the wooden logs to the Forest Department, which will conduct a detailed assessment of the haul and determine its exact commercial value. The transfer marks the standard protocol for handling wildlife-related contraband cases in the state.

The operation underscores ongoing challenges in combating illegal logging across India's forested regions, where organised smuggling networks continue to exploit endangered timber species. Authorities have intensified patrols in known trafficking corridors to intercept illegal consignments before they leave state borders.