Kinnaur, Dec 9 (ANI): Officials of the Anti Corruption Bureau in Himachal Pradesh conducted a special raid at Jeori village in Kinnaur District and seized around 20 tonnes of sanders wood, also known as red sandalwood, on Thursday suspected to being smuggled into China through Tibet.
The cost of the seized sanders wood, in the international market is estimated to be around ten crore rupees.
Special Investigation Officer of the Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau, Virender Kalia who conducted the raid told reporters that a thorough inquiry is underway.
"Acting on a secret information, we conducted this inquiry. We are investigating the whole matter at the ground zero. Deputy Forest Ranger of Forest Department, Revenue officials are engaged in the inquiry. As of now we are weighing the sanders wood and assessing various related aspects. All said and done, it is said to be very costly wood," said Kalia.
Reportedly, four persons have been arrested so far on charges of smuggling the seized red sandalwood.
According to officials, the stock of the expensive wood was clandestinely transported all the way from Andhra Pradesh.
Red sandalwood is only found in the border districts of Kadapa and Chittoor between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It is mandatory for the owners of the land where this variety of sandalwood trees exists to inform the concerned authorities.
Felling of sandalwood trees found extensively in states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu without government's permission is a serious penal offence. (ANI)
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