In the raids conducted simultaneously at three places, the police arrested 19 inter-State smugglers and seized from them about 60 logs worth nearly ₹80 lakh in Nellore district here on Friday. The seizures also included three vehicles, six cellphones and 12 axes.
Two of the 19 arrested persons hailed from Tamil Nadu. They were identified as one Shanmuga Thangarajan (Karukkampeta, Chennai city) and Kasinathan Sabarinath (Ponneri, Tiruvallur district).
The raids were conducted in Sitharampuram, Dakkili and Kaluvai areas which were known for the increased shady activities of smuggling gangsters in the past one decade.
OSD P. Vithaleswar, who supervised the raids, said that the greater efforts were being made to prevent illegal felling and smuggling of the precious wood from the vulnerable areas in the district. A list of smugglers and accomplices in red sanders smuggling has been prepared for taking tough action. Mr. Vithaleswar said that a constant vigil was being placed on the movement of the suspected gangsters and the local villagers were also asked to pass on information to the police whenever they come across instances of secret gangs indulging in such activities in their vicinity.
