9 red sanders logs seized

Tirupati: On a tip-off, the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) personnel started combing for red sanders smugglers in the early hours of Thursday in the forest area close to Lakshmipuram village tank in Tirupati Rural mandal. 

On seeing task force cops, smugglers ran towards Srinivasa Mangapuram railway track. The task force cops chased smugglers to catch them. After smugglers crossed  the railway track, within minutes a goods train has passed on track which gave ample time for smugglers to escape.

All the smugglers belong to Vellore district in Tamil Nadu. The task force men recovered 9 red sanders logs and groceries from the spot. RSASTF IG M Kantha Rao has inspected the spot and instructed task force officials to intensify the combing with additional forces.