Forest department arrests five persons with 70kg of sandalwood

Kochi: Forest department has foiled an attempt to smuggle sandalwood in Ernakulam and arrested five persons with over 70kg of sandalwood on Thursday. The arrested individuals have been identified as Sharan Sashi, Shaji V S, Aneesh Mathew, Charles Joseph and Nikhil Suresh, all hailing from Idukki. According to forest sources, the seizure was made as a result of intelligence gathering and surveillance. The sandalwood was stored as several small pieces, said an officer.Sources said that based on confidential information, the accused were intercepted at Veetoor in Ernakulam. After receiving inputs about the gang involved in selling sandalwood, forest officers approached them pretending to be potential buyers."The accused came to Veetoor in two cars to meet with us. They handed over two kilograms of sandalwood as a sample. After collecting the same, we went to their hideout in Idukki," said an officer. The accused stashed the contraband in a deserted plot near a house at Erattayar in Idukki, said an officer. The team searched the hideout and took the sandalwood into custody by Thursday early morning, said sources.The accused were presented before a magistrate late on Thursday evening and remanded in judicial custody. They were taken to Muvattupuzha sub-jail by Thursday night. The arrest was made by a team led by Kodanad range forest officer R Adheesh, and deputy range officer Mekkapala Dideesh K made the seizure. The seized contraband will be produced before a court.Sources said an investigation is under way into the antecedents of the racket and their customers. Possible links to those involved in crafting sculptures with the wood are also under scrutiny. Forest department has also launched a probe to identify the source from where the accused procured the contraband, said sources. Officers said the accused would soon be sought in custody for evidence collection and further interrogation. At least two among the accused are history-sheeters, said sources.

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