Smugglers hide sandalwood worth Rs 1.12 crore under onions to mask scent; held in Bengaluru

Those arrested have been identified as Abdul Kalam, 47, Rama Bhopal, 40, Sheikh Sharukh, 31, and Paramesh, 30, all residents of Karnool in Andhra Pradesh.

According to a police officer, they received information from an informant about sandalwood smugglers who were roaming suspiciously near the Someshwaranagar arch at around 12.30 am on October 16.

“When we inquired, the accused did not give a clear response. We brought them to the police station and, upon checking the vehicles, found that the sandalwood was packed in 18 bags, and to hide it, the onion bags were placed on top. As the onions were rotten, the smell of sandalwood was also masked,” the officer said.

The police produced the four men before a court, and took them into custody for 10 days. On October 23, the accused were sent to judicial custody.

A police officer said the accused brought the sandalwood from Andhra Pradesh to sell it to a person in Bengaluru. “We are trying to ascertain the receiver of the sandalwood, and further probe is underway,” the officer added.

Earlier in October, Forest Department officials in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district seized 100 kg of sandalwood that was stored in a house. The forest officials of Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary conducted a raid based on a tip-off and seized sandalwood hidden in an almirah.

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