In a significant crackdown on illegal timber trade, the Bengaluru CID police (Forest unit) intercepted and seized 125 kg of red sanders in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. Police sources have confirmed the arrest of two individuals linked to this illegal transportation.

The apprehended suspects have been identified as Deekshith from Guruvayanakere and Khalid of Mavinakatte. Meanwhile, a third suspect, Santhosh, remains at large. Following the arrests, the accused and the seized red sanders were handed over to the Venoor Forest department for further procedures.

The operation was initiated based on reliable intel. A swift response from the mobile forest department team of Bengaluru, headed by ASI Janaki, led to the confiscation of the red sanders along with the vehicle used in its transportation.

Venoor zonal forest officer, Mahim Jannu, has taken charge of the investigation. Preliminary estimates suggest that the combined value of the seized goods and vehicle amounts to approximately Rs 6.5 lakh. The crackdown underscores the ongoing efforts to combat the illegal timber trade in the region.

  Belthangady, Bengaluru, Dakshina Kannada, India, Karnataka, Mahim Jannu