TIRUPATI: Chittoor police arrested 15 interstate smugglers and seized red sanders logs worth Rs 1 crore in two separate incidents.
SP Y Rishanth Reddy said rural (east) CI K Balayya and his team who were conducting vehicle checks near Mopakshi junction on Wednesday, stumbled upon a group of woodcutters and smugglers. On questioning, the gang confessed that they were hired to fell red sanders logs inside the Seshachalam forests. Police arrested the gang and recovered 36 red sanders logs worth approximately 50 lakh.
Meanwhile, Chittoor rural (west) CI Srinivasulu Reddy who was conducting checks near Gudipala crosson Thursday morning took two motorists into custody after they were found to be moving around suspiciously. Police then stopped a speeding luggage auto which was trailing the motorists, and carrying 35 red sanders logs worth approximately 50 lakh. The vehicles were seized later.
