Police have also confiscated three vehicles from the accused. The total estimated value of the seized red sanders logs and vehicles amounts to ₹1.91 crore.
Kadapa police seized a substantial quantity of red sanders near Potladurthi village in Yerraguntla mandal and apprehended five individuals engaged in smuggling it. The Yerraguntla police intercepted a mini lorry on the Proddatur – Yerraguntla road early on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of three persons inside. Additionally, two others, one driving a tractor and another on a two-wheeler who were escorting the vehicle, were also apprehended, as confirmed by the police.
In Kadapa district, the police seized a total of 84 red sanders logs during a recent operation. Initially, 44 logs were confiscated from a mini truck, and four individuals—Dudekula Basha (42), Pinjari Mohammed Rafi (20), Sai (25), and Arvolla Rafi (19)—were arrested. Subsequently, another 40 logs were seized from a tractor. Basha confessed to hiding an additional 74 logs at his residence for sale at a higher price. Police recovered these logs along with three vehicles used in the operation. The total value of the seized items is estimated to be ₹1.91 crore.
Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kaushal commended the efforts of Jammalamadugu Sub Divisional Police Officer T.D. Yaswanth, Yerraguntla Urban Circle Inspector R. Eswaraiah, and their team for the successful operation.
In a separate incident, the Tirupati court recently convicted three individuals for smuggling red sanders. The case was initiated by the Srikalahasti Rural Police Station in 2014 under the AP Forest Act 1967 and Rule 3 of the Red Sandalwood Transit Rules 1969. Kollagunta Siva (24), Boyalapalli Murali (24), and Boyalapalli Damu (24), residents of Renigunta Road in Tirupati, were each fined ₹21,000 and sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Superintendent of Police V. Harshavardhan Raju praised the team for bringing the case to a successful conclusion.