In an early morning combing operation, the task force officials seized 25 red sanders logs from a truck on the Karakambadi Road, on the outskirts of Tirupati.
According to Task Force SP P. Ravi Shankar, the team led by RSI Vijaya Narasimha observed two operatives carrying bags, presumably food for woodcutters/coolies working in the forests, near Reddygunta area.
With the area notorious for its distinction as a loading point, the officials laid an ambush to nab the smuggling operatives. They noticed nearly 30 members carrying red sanders logs to the loading point and had a vehicle for transport. No sooner the vehicle neared the loading point, the combing party charged to nab the operatives. The latter abandoned the logs, even some in the nearby water trench, and fled into the forests. However, the slippery terrain proved to be an impediment for the combing party’s pursuit. The logs, stashed in the truck as well as those thrown into the trench, were fished out by the task force. In addition to this, the officials noticed that the vehicle had fake registration and also recovered a passport. The task force’s intelligence wing is currently investigating the issue.
