The Karveti Nagaram forest range squad members on Tuesday intercepted an SUV on its way to Chennai from Tirupati at Vedurukuppam mandal headquarters, and seized red sander logs worth over Rs. 20 lakh and confiscated the vehicle, besides nabbing one inmate while two others fled the scene.
Forest Range Officer (Karveti Nagaram) N. Lakshmipathy said that acting on a tip-off that the vehicle was coming towards Karveti Nagaram, a special party was pressed into action, which busted the clandestine transport in the early hours.
Narasimhulu (35), from Vajrakarur of Anantapur District, who was driving the vehicle informed the police that one Bala from Tirupati had lured him into the contraband trade. The seized goods were shifted to the forest godown at Tirupati and the nabbed was sent to remand.
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After the Chittoor police and forest officials taking steps sealing the highways crossing into neighboring states by increasing check-posts, the smugglers have concentrated on rural roads to carry out their trade.