7 forest employees arrested for red sanders smuggling

Seven forest employees were arrested here for their alleged involvement in smuggling of red sanders, police said today.

The accused were arrested by Kadapa police in a joint operation with anti-red sanders task force from Tirupathi late last evening. About 14 red sander logs worth Rs 9.28 lakh were recovered from their possession, Ontimitta Circle Inspector Ulasaiah said.

According to police, six base camp employees---Sagar, Ramalinga Reddy, Bala Obulesu Reddy, Anjaneyulu, Peter, Devadas-- and one Assistant Beat Officer Ramchandra Reddy were held when they tried to smuggle red sander logs belonging to noted smuggler Turra Venkatasubbaiah, who surrendered before court recently.

Police suspect that more employees are involved in the smuggling racket.

The base camp employees colluded with smugglers and used to get about Rs 10,000 each per month, the CI added.

In another incident, a woman red sander smuggler identified as Rajeshwari was arrested at Venkatapuram cross in Atlur mandal here.

Red sander logs worth Rs 17.2 lakh, one cell phone and a vehicle was seized from her possession yesterday, said Badvel circle inspector Venkatappa.

Rajeswari, resident of Bakarapeta, is associated with noted smuggler Bode Venkataramana of the same village and used to help transport the red sander logs to Tirupathi.

She was later produced before a local court on Friday he added.