AP Naxal links to sandalwood smuggling

KOCHI: In a major development in the red sandalwood seizure from ICTT, Vallarpadam, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has unearthed Naxalite links behind the smuggling. The sandalwood is being smuggled to China, the DRI report said.

The report, submitted before the Additional Sessions Court (Economic Offences), Ernakulam, said the sandalwood seized from ICTT, Vallarpadam, was procured with the assistance of Naxalites from Andhra Pradesh. Further, it was found that sandalwood worth Rs100 crore has already been smuggled by the accused through the Cochin Port.

“Red sandalwood valued not less than Rs100 crore has already been smuggled by the accused through Cochin Port. The accused had procured the exported logs with the assistance of Naxalitegroups from the forests of Andhra Pradesh. The logs were transported to Coimbatore and then to Cochin Port and the final destination is China. The red sandalwood is smuggled to China for making musical instruments and for home furnishing,” senior intelligence officer SP Syed Muhammad stated in his report.

DRI officials stated that there is a myth among the Chinese people that anyone possessing red sandalwood will be blessed and this has led to the boom in the demand for the wood in Chinese markets. “Some proceeds of the exported logs have been received in India from the UAE through hawala channels. The DRI has found that sandalwood items were smuggled to the UAE and elsewhere through the Cochin Port. The first accused Anil Kumar confessed that he was engaged in smuggling since 2002,” Muhammed said.

The DRI has started to fix  the kingpins behind the smuggling. "The details of the supplier from AP, the logistical details of transporting, the method of switching the cargo after Customs officials examine and seal would be found out,” Muhammed said.  

The accused in the illegal transportation of sandalwood from Vallarpadam were Anil Kumar of Olavakkode, K P Sibu of Palluruthi, Unnikrishnan of Palluruthi, Shafeeque of Kannur, who is businessman in the UAE, and Shahul Hameed of Chennai.