DRI foils attempt to smuggle red sanders worth RS 6.5 cr via port

Based on a specific tip-off that that glassware in the consignment were being replaced with red sanders logs in a container that was cleared by Container Freight Station for export, sleuths from Directorate Revenue Intelligence raided a private yard in Madhavaram. They found the glassware strewn around in the yard and that the seal on the container was broken and lock open. The container was filled with red sanders logs, which was seized. The tools used to tamper with the seal was also recovered from the spot. 

The officers also arrested two of the key persons including the suspected mastermind involved in arranging the clearance work and substitution of the export consignment with red sanders logs. The duo is said to be repeat offenders in smuggling of red sanders. 

A week ago, DRI seized had red sanders logs in two separate incidents. In one of the cases, the contraband was intercepted at the Chennai Port before it was loaded on a vessel for export, which led to a seizure of about 13.9 metric tonnes of red sanders logs. In the other case, a consignment which had already sailed from Chennai to Malaysia, was recalled on suspicion. When the agency examined its contents at Kattupalli Port, the officials found the consignment contained more than 15. metric tonnes of red sanders logs. Further investigation in all the cases are in progress.