ATR officials arrest 5, seize 72 kg sandalwood being smuggled to Kerala

The Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) officials on Friday arrested five persons and recovered 72 kg of sandalwood logs axed and smuggled from the reserve forest area in Pollachi. 

Acting on a tip off, a team led by ATR deputy field director MG Ganesan took the five men identified as N Venkatesh, 40, from Pollachi, M Mohammed Basheer, 47, from Palakkad in Kerala, T Manikandan, 23, T Chakkaravarthy, 26 and T Anbalagan, 21, all natives of Tiruvannamalai district into custody. They were attempting to smuggle sandalwood to Kerala in a car. Inquiries revealed that they were planning to sell off the wood for a hefty amount to one KP Abdul Saleem, 53, from Palakkad. 

He was once fined Rs 1 lakh for attempting to smuggle sandalwood from Pollachi a few years ago. Forest Department has booked the five and a search is on to nab Abdul Saleem from Kerala. Further inquiries are on.