Officials seize 27 red sanders, arrest 29 persons

Kadapa: In separate incidents, Forest department officials have arrested as many as 29 wood cutters including some smugglers and recovered 27 red sander logs, tractor, car, 6 mobile phones from them.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday District Forest Officer Siva Prasad said, `` following tip off forest officials have conducted raids at Diguva rupu Kona forest area near Maddimadugu village in Rayachoti mandal, Obula Reddy Chevuru of Vempalli mandal and taken into their custody of 29 persons who were wandering under suspicious circumstances. 

During interrogation the culprits confessed of their crime in indulging red sander smuggling. He said smugglers were planning to transport the red sander logs in a tractor which was specially designed for the purpose.

The logs loaded in the tractor were covered by grass. It was planned to transport the logs to Bengaluru.   He said that they have recovered the red sander logs which were in the bushes at various places. Trainee IFS officer Narendran, Kadapa AFO Balasubrahmanyam, Vempalli FRO Swamy Vivekandanda and others were present.